The goal of education propels the 28th annual Consider the Century conference forward.

The main focus of the event is “to inform and educate native and non-native communities about the ongoing reality of collaborating and considering the century,” said Richie Meyers, director of tribal outreach and coordinator for the conference.

Throughout the day, speakers will present on topics ranging from data analysis to health to art.

Speakers for the event include Rich Braunstein, Weiwei Zhang, DenYelle Baete Kenyon, Heather Larson, Marcella Ryan LeBeau, a film about Standing Rock and a public reception for Craig Howe.

Charles “Chuck” Woodard, retired English professor, started Consider the Century and passed the duties onto Meyers and other committee members including April Eastman of the American Indian Success Center and Mary Emery in the Department of Sociology and Rural Studies.

“His (Woodard’s) long standing contributions to the university in terms of dealing with Native Americans is foundational,” Meyers said.

Meyers hopes this event will inform the SDSU community about the struggles and realities of the Native American population in South Dakota.

“Sadly, I think the majority of America hasn’t really dealt with the fact that Native people didn’t vanish or get absorbed,” Meyers said. “They still have communities and struggles that are there that sometimes get forgotten.”

The conference is Monday, October 17 in the Volstorff Ballroom. There are sessions beginning at 9 a.m. with the final event at the South Dakota Art Museum from 5 to 7 p.m.