This series reflects on the 250th anniversary of the United States by examining the Declaration of Independence alongside the treaties made with Native Americans in Illinois. Using 6018North’s current exhibition Myth of the Organic City, we explore how these histories have shaped our past, present, and how to best move forward. The series will be facilitated by JeeYeun Lee, an artists who has work on view. Community Conversations: Chasing the Declaration of Independence are funded by the Illinois Humanities.

Session 1: Thursday, May 21 at 6 PM

Declaration of Independence

Close-reading and discussion, led by series facilitator JeeYeun Lee.

Session 2: Thursday, May 28 at 6 PM

Native American Treaties

Dr. Dorene Wiese (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe–White Earth) leads a discussion of Illinois treaties, exploring the Declaration's promise, the impacts of land use changes, and what "the people" means.

Session 3: Thursday, June 4 at 6 PM

Native American Declaration of Indian Purpose and present day discussions

Les Begay (Diné) discusses the Native American Declaration from an Indigenous perspective. 

Also featuring Teresa Montoya (Diné). We are exploring how to connect Teresa Montoya’s work and the Declaration which mentions water to our original focus on water.