Keynote Speakers
Roger Fernandes
Roger Fernandes is a Lower Elwha S’Klallam artist and storyteller. His work focuses on the culture and arts of the Coast Salish tribes of western Washington. He studied art at the University of Washington and has a degree in Native American Studies from the Evergreen State College.
In the late 1970’s he found a small book entitled “American Indian Sculpture” and in it found images of Puget Salish spirit figures and other carvings. None of the art in this book resembled the more familiar and popular formline art of the northern coastal tribes. This discovery and understanding led him to study and copy old Salish designs and to learn more about the traditional cultures that used this art.
In the years since he has produced a variety of Salish art including paintings, prints, and graphic designs used in posters, cards, and books. He has also designed and worked on petroglyphic art and cedar carving projects. In addition he has taught Coast Salish design courses through the Evergreen State College and Northwest Indian College.
Tracy Rector
Tracy Rector, Seminole, is the Executive Director and co-founder of Longhouse Media. She specializes in Native American Studies, traditional plant medicine and documentary film. As the Co-Producer of the award winning films Teachings of the Tree People, Teachings of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller and March Point, Tracy has developed an awareness and sensitivity to the power of media and film as a modern storytelling tool. Her recent film MARCH POINT, a collaborative project with Native Lens youth, will be released on Independent Lens fall 2008. Ms. Rector's work has been featured at National Geographic's All Roads Film Project, on National PBS and at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian. Combining her filmmaking background and her training in education Tracy has also co-developed a National media making experience for youth called SuperFly Filmmaking, which garnered her organization the 2007 Seattle Mayor's Arts and Culture Award for excellence. Finally, as the recent winner of the prestigious Horace Mann Award recognizing her victories for humanity, Tracy continues to strive for cultural equality and to utilize media as a tool to dismantle the pervasive stereotypes of Native people.
John Guffey
John Guffey comes to us from the Midwest, where he grew up and has lived for many years as a teacher, student, child, husband and parent. Between his childhood on the Plains, and his current home in the Rocky Mountains, he has lived in many places, held more than a few jobs, and pursued a lifelong vision of a better world. John's closing keynote will be based on a story about the land and people that have informed his life and that guide his understanding of education, service-learning, and the future.
