Wilma Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Symposium on American Indian Studies Oct. 2 at the University of Oklahoma.

The symposium, which will be held at the National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., is sponsored by the Native American Studies program in OU's College of Arts and Sciences.

The symposium, which is open to invited faculty, students, administrators and guests from various American Indian studies programs, tribal governments, public schools and businesses across Oklahoma, as well as the general public, will open with a sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. on the south corridor of the National Weather Center, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The symposium will conclude at 5 p.m.

"American Indian Studies in Context" is the theme of this year's symposium, emphasizing a trend in American Indian studies reform and refinement.

Topics to be addressed include American Indian Studies curriculum offerings; student preparation and achievement; American Indian Studies research; instruction; and community services.

American Indian studies faculty and students from OU and throughout the state's colleges and universities have been invited to present papers or attend panels.

Other invited speakers include Tom Holm, professor emeritus, University of Arizona; Henrietta Mann, president, Cheyenne/Arapaho Tribal College; Todd Fuller, president, Pawnee Nation College; Hugh Foley, Rogers State College; Lee Hester, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma; Joe Bohanon, Bacone College; Richard Allen, Cherokee Nation; Linda Sue Warner, president, Haskell Indian Nations University and Joe Watkins, director, Native American Studies, University of Oklahoma. Registration is $75 for the public and $25 for students. Included in the fee are luncheon and symposium material. For registration or accommodations on the basis of disability, call 325-2312.