WTAMU Distinguished Lecture Series to Host Award-Winning Navajo Filmmaker

Award-winning Navajo/Diné filmmaker Ramona Emerson will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, via Zoom as part of West Texas A&M University’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The event will serve as the Center for the Study of the American West’s Garry L. Nall Lecture in Western Studies. Emerson will discuss her film “The Mayors of Shiprock.” Emerson, who is originally from Tohatchi, New Mexico, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from the University of New Mexico and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts. For more than 20 years, she has worked as a professional videographer, writer and editor, with her work being featured on eight films. She co-owns the Albuquerque production company Reel Indian Pictures with her husband, Kelly Byars. Emerson has been selected for numerous fellowships, including Sundance Native Lab Fellow, Time-Warner Storyteller Fellow, Tribeca All-Access Grantee and WGBH Producer Fellow. Those interested in attending the Zoom lecture, can register using this link: https://bit.ly/CSAW-Emerson. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting on Zoom.