Native American Studies, in conjunction with the Institute for American Indian Research and the Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group, presents the annual Viola F. Cordova Memorial Symposium on Thursday, April 7, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Student Union Building Lobo room.

The focus of the symposium is Native American student presentations on indigenous topics, issues and concerns. The event opens with an invocation and welcome by Greg Cajete, Native American Studies chair, and closes with a luncheon.

Cordova was the first Native American woman to receive a doctorate in philosophy. Even as she became an expert on canonical works of traditional Western philosophy, she devoted herself to defining a Native American philosophy. Although she died of a brain aneurysm before she could complete her life's work, some of her colleagues have organized her pioneering contributions into a book, "How It Is."

The symposium is free and open to the public. For information call (505) 277-1822 or e-mail triplel@unm.edu.