ART & SURVIVAL: Honoring Indigenous People's Day

ART & SURVIVAL: Honoring Indigenous People's Day with Dr. Monika Ponton Arrington | 6-8 p.m. | Oct. 10 | Free!

Who are the Indigenous people of North America? What are the myths versus the truths surrounding their lives and traditions?

Explore the past and present of Indigenous cultural society through music, books, artwork and a special presentation by Dr. Monika Ponton Arrington. She is the founder of Georgia Indigenous Diversity Consulting and a lifelong scholar, leader, advocate and activist for Indigenous People’s rights and awareness.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER (Bio courtesy of Monika Ponton Arrington)

Monika Ponton Arrington, PhD, age 64, has lived in Georgia for over 50 years. She is married to a Cherokee and has four grown children and 7 grandchildren. Now in Chatsworth, Ga. In a community called Spring Place. Became involved with Indigenous issues as she was growing up. Then when her children were growing up, she came to the realization that being indigenous has its own issues. Being a young Taino Woman who grew up knowing she was a Native American Indian, she felt lost at times.

So, she started to research her family and who they were. Attended the Native Wellness Institute and received her certificate in Counseling in 2009. Established an Indigenous Affair’s Department and was appointed as the Executive Liaison to iChange Nation, North American Division. Received an honorary degree in Humanities and an Ambassadorship to the Golden Rule and I Change Nation Peacekeeping

Building Initiative to the United Nation in 2013. Became their voice on matters facing Indigenous people. While doing research and starting to with working with families within certain areas that were facing discrimination and were being forced from their homes. United Nation Council of Indigenous People as a council member (2021).

Eight years ago, Monika Ponton Arrington apply to be part of Project Access, a flagship program of the Tribal Link Foundation that support Indigenous people participation in multi-stakeholder forum where decision is being made that affect their human right, land, resources, cultures indigenous rights and livelihoods. The program accepted her application and sent her to the United Nations, where she has defended the rights of Taino and Indigenous Peoples ever since.

As a delegate and speaker, Monika has spoken before the United Nation Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues facing peoples here in North America as well across the globe, co-wrote several interventions that were presented before the United Nation PFII, and was asked to speak before the United Nation on issues facing Puerto Rico.

Arrington, the founder of Indigenous Women’s Knowledge Inc. and Georgia Indigenous Diversity Consulting LLC, handles educational programs, events, speaking engagements, consults school’s systems on behalf of indigenous people, mentoring programs, and work with guidelines that are both human rights, civil rights, and indigenous rights. 

She was the chairwoman for the Cherokee Homecoming for the 180th year anniversary of the Trail of Tears Removal of

the People, welcoming the Heads of Nations, several state representative and dignitaries. She was also the vice president of Friends of New Echota, and has been featured in several documentaries and TV interviews. 

"Dr. Monika Ponton Arrington brings light to the darkness of the trials and trauma that the Native American Indian People have from the past and present. She brings awareness to those of us who do not understand the complexity that the Native American Indians must deal with daily. She clears the myth and misunderstanding that people have about the Native American Indian." - Ambassador Fidelia Graand-Galon