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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University is offering a special course this fall term called Native American Philosophies that will include a series of lectures, plays, readings, and musical performances that are free and open to the public.

The course will be coordinated by OSU faculty members Kurt Peters, the Department of Ethnic Studies, and Kathleen Dean Moore, the Department of Philosophy. The course is supported by a gift from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.

Every Tuesday fall term, beginning Oct. 1, the course will bring to campus Native American philosophers, storytellers, scholars, authors, or musicians who share their ideas, culture, stories and scholarship with students - and the public, who are invited free of charge. The presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. in Gilfillan Auditorium.

"It is an opportunity for students to think more deeply about their place on Earth and their relation to the natural world, their sources of strength and wisdom, the nature of time and place and spirit, and the right ways of acting in communities," Moore said.

This is the second year OSU has offered this course. The inaugural effort last year was a huge success with students as well as the public, Peters said.

"Many of the speakers are extremely well-known in the Native American community and beyond," he said. "They offer some fascinating and unique perspectives, which many of the students had never encountered. Opening up the presentations to the public seems like the right thing to do."

The class - Ethnic Studies or Philosophy 499/599 - meets Oct. 1 for an introduction by Peters and Moore. The following week (Tuesday, Oct. 8) will feature a presentation by John Trudell, a Native American activist, poet and recording artist whose latest release, "Bone Days," has met with critical and popular acclaim. Recorded with his long-time band, Bad Dog, "Bone Days" was executive-produced by Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie.

Trudell is a Vietnam veteran who served as chairman of the American Indian Movement, or AIM, from 1973-79. In February of 1979, his wife, three children and mother-in-law were killed in a fire and Trudell says it was this tragedy that helped him find a voice as an artist, poet and writer.

Trudell has worked with Jackson Browne, Kiowa songwriter Jesse Ed Davis, and Australian band Midnight Oil, among others.

Native American presenters include:

• Oct. 8 - John Trudell, a Sioux poet, actor and recording artist whose latest release, 'Bone Days,' has received critical and popular acclaim.

   

• Oct. 15 - "The Mundane as Sacred," by Viola Cordova (Jicarilla Apache), a professor of philosophy at Idaho State University.

   

• Oct. 22 - "Through Coyote's Eyes," by Ed Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock), who will present a one-man play with five characters, each telling of the unique conflict in his life as well as a traditional legend.

   

• Oct. 29 - Lorraine Brundige (Cree), a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oregon, will speak about the roles of women.

   

• Nov. 5 - Jack Forbes (Powhatan-Renape, Delaware-Renape) is the former chair of Native American Studies at the University of California at Davis. He is the author of "Red Blood" and "Columbus and Other Cannibals."

   

• Nov. 12 - Oren Lyons (Onandaga) is a well-known spiritual leader and spokesperson for Native American values.

   

• Nov. 19 - Jamie Pinkham (Nez Perce) is the manager of the Nez Perce Department of Fisheries Resources in Lapwai, Idaho.
• Nov. 26 - Linda Hogan (Chickasaw) is a Guggenheim Award-winning novelist and essayist, and author of "Power," "Dwelling" and "Eclipse."

   

• Dec. 3 - Ulali (Tuscarora) is an internationally known First Nations female a cappella trio that sings in the many styles and languages of their ancestors.