The Chosen and the Damned:

World Issues Forum Presents: The Chosen and the Damned:

Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States

Logo for the World Issues Forum, featuring a globe surrounded by figures

Event Details

When:

Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 12pm - 1:20pm

Location:

Online: Zoom

In-Person at WWU
Fairhaven Auditorium

Price:

Free

Brought to you by:

Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, The Ray Wolpow Institute, Department of Anthropology, WWU Tribal Relations Office, Native American Student Union at WWU, Department of Global Humanities and Religion, Department of Journalism, Department of Political Science, Department of Ethnic Studies, Department of History , The Foundation for WWU & Alumni

Description

An examination of the ways Indigenous people have factored as objects and actors into the invention of racial identities in the United States and its colonial predecessors.

The World Issues Forum series is free and open to the public. Talks are held in Fairhaven College Auditorium, on the top floor of the Fairhaven College main building to the rear (east) side. If you enter from the west entrance (halfway between the second and third floor facing parking lot 12A), take the half-flight of stairs to the left and continue to east side of the building from there. You'll see the door to the auditorium a little to your left.

Join us at WWU or online on Zoom!

World Issues Forum updates are available online.

The views expressed in the World Issues Forum do not necessarily reflect those of Western Washington University.

Featuring:

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a person wearing glasses and a blue button-down shirt against a gray backgroun
David J. Silverman, PhD

Professor of History at George Washington University

Questions and Accommodations

  • Your point of contact for this event is Fairhaven College. Call (360) 650-6680 or visit the World Issues Forum website.
  • Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering.
  • There will be auto-captions for the Zoom webinar. 

Visitor Parking at WWU on Weekdays

  • Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: limited paid parking is available at the south C lots and north 6V and 7G lots.
  • Purchase your permit at the lot pay stations or use the Parkmobile app.
  • More parking details for campus visitors are available online.

Parking at WWU on Weekdays for Visitors with Disabilities

  • Mon-Fri, 7:00am-4:30pm: both a WWU permit and state disability placard are needed.
  • Purchase your permit at the pay stations in lot C or 6V or use the Parkmobile app (use Zone 1200). This allows parking in any disability space. If these are full, you can use a non-reserved space nearby.
  • More parking details for campus visitors with disabilities are available online.