Dorothea Lange was hired by the federal government in 1942 to document Japanese Americans as they were exiled from their homes on the West Coast and confined in detention camps. Her images of the exiles’ humanity offered a powerful critique of the incarceration program, to the point that her photographs were confiscated and censored for the duration of the war. In this talk, Meredith Oda explores Lange’s images to better understand her perspective and the experiences of the Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated without charge.

About Meredith Oda:

Meredith Oda is Grace A. Griffin Associate Professor in American History in the Department of History at the University of Nevada, Reno. A graduate of UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago, her work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Huntington Library, and the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago. Her first book, The Gateway to the Pacific: Japanese Americans and the Remaking of San Francisco (Chicago 2019) was a transpacific urban history of redevelopment in the city. She has also published scholarly articles as well as non-academic pieces in TIME magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Nevada Humanities’ Double Down, and other popular outlets. Currently, she is working on a second book, People in Motion: Japanese American Incarceration and Resettlement during World War II, that explores the lives Japanese Americans remade as they left the detention centers.

Philip Brookman, Consulting Curator in the Department of Photographs at the National Gallery of Art, explores Lange’s work and the creation of the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People.  

Presented as part of the Debra and Dennis Scholl Distinguished Speaker Series 

Highlighting the profound significance of Native American poetry and its importance within the broader context of American literature, celebrate National Poetry Month with celebrated Native American poets, Nizhoni Widehat and Nila Northsun, in a conversation moderated by Stacey Montooth, Executive Director of the Nevada Department of Native American Affairs.  

Free for Tribal Community Members.

Meet Judith Lowry and exhibition co-curators Melissa Melero-Moose (Fallon Paiute | Modoc) and Ann M. Wolfe, the Museum’s Andrea and John C. Deane Family Chief Curator and Associate Director, in the gallery for a closing conversation and walkthrough. 

Free with Admission. 

Join legendary broadcaster Peggy Berryhill (Muscogee), the “First Lady of Native Radio,” as she sits down with acclaimed artist Judith Lowry (Mountain Maidu | Pit River | Washoe) for a conversation about the transformative power of storytelling. Drawing from their rich experiences in media and art, they will explore how stories shape identity, preserve cultural heritage, and connect communities across generations. 

Free to Tribal Communities.

Photo by Seve Cardosi

Attend a panel discussion exploring the planet’s oldest tree, the Bristlecone Pine, and its influence on artists and musicians alike. 

The panel will feature Colin Robertson, Charles N. Mathewson Senior Vice President of Education and Research; Laura Jackson, Music Director of the Reno Philharmonic; and composer Marko Bajzer. Musicologist Mark Clague will moderate the discussion.

This program was initially scheduled to take place on February 13th but was canceled due to inclement weather. It has now been rescheduled to March 12th at 6pm. For any questions or concerns, please contact Nevada Humanities directly at glam@nevadahumanities.org

In recognition of the 83rd anniversary of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, join Nevada Humanities and the Japanese American Citizens League for an evening of conversation about remembrance and the power of stories in the Japanese American community. 

The evening begins with a presentation of audio excerpts from “The Magpie of Heart Mountain” – a 2021 episode from the podcast This Is Love featuring the story of Shigeru Yabu. Yabu was nine when he was incarcerated at Heart Mountain, where he befriended a wild baby magpie whom he named Maggie. The program concludes with a discussion with members of the Japanese American Citizens League moderated by Meredith Oda, Associate Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno. 

Photo Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration 

Judith Lowry will explore the Indigenous histories shared by her father and family, highlighting how these stories shape her art, preserve cultural traditions, and inspire future generations to continue honoring and revitalizing their heritage. 

* Doors open at 10am with coffee and tea

Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee) has worked for decades to shape a national Native American policy agenda that addresses issues at the core of Indigenous identity: sacred places protection and repatriation, religious freedom, treaty and inherent sovereign rights, mascot eradication, and language revitalization. 

During this virtual talk, Harjo, a longtime supporter and admirer of Judith Lowry’s work, will highlight the vital role of culture bearers and visual artists in advancing women’s rights and Native sovereignty. 

This is a virtual program that will be broadcast in the Museum’s theater for those who wish to attend in person. 

For those joining us virtually, please click the link below to join: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86576989629?pwd=4Qc4c9OV6OQDTu4gSRdofuGDLgBoXg.1

Passcode: 740531

Free for Tribal Communities. 

Photo by Yatika Starr Fields