INDIGENOUS STUDIES

Stephen Fadden, IAIA Faculty

Biography:

Stephen Fadden is a Native American (Mohawk) educator, musician, storyteller, and actor. Before coming to the Institute of American Indian Arts, Stephen lectured in the Communication Department and American Indian Program at Cornell University. While at Cornell he was presented with the Paramount Professor Award by the Greek Pan-Hellenic Society in 1992 and was nominated again in 1993.

Stephen also worked throughout New York state as a multicultural education consultant for public schools and other public education institutions, examining ways stories can help students find meaning in their educational experiences. In 1992 the Pennsylvania Humanities Council on the Arts and Moonstone, Inc. awarded his family the Paul Robeson Humanities Award for commitment to multicultural education and Native American cultural awareness. In 1993 he advised the Discovery Channel on the history of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) in its production of "Divided We Fall", an installment of the six-part "How the West Was Lost" series. He also composed a flute segment for the soundtrack Fox Sports’ special on Wings of America, a Native American youth development group.

He currently teaches courses in Native American Art History, courses in Native American Culture History, Speech Communication, and Anthropology at Santa Fe Community College, and Speech Communication at the College of Santa Fe.

Education:

Cornell University, B. A. and M. A. in Communication
Institute of American Indian Arts, A.F.A.degree in Museum Studies

Professional Acomplishments:

He has been a featured performing artist at: the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC; the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis; the Detroit Storytelling Festival at Wayne State University; the Annual Storytelling Festival at The Ark in Ann Arbor; Michigan; the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, The Taos Storytelling Festival in New Mexico; The Audubon Society in Harrisburg; The Champlain Valley Storytelling Festival in Vermont, for Daystar Dance, and many points between.

Teaching Statement:

"I believe teaching history is creative, optimistic and proactive. To often we look at history in a passive and observational manner, rather than with an awareness of our participation in cultural and worldly events. By knowing our histories we can understand where we are now, and can work to create a better tomorrow for our children. While we can't change the past, we can shape our futures."