Afternoon Lecture: Kentucky Unsettled

Event Details

Schedule: Refreshments at 1:00 pm, lecture at 1:15 pm.

In the aftermath of the French and Indian War, the Proclamation of 1763 marked the land that became Kentucky as Indian Reserve. However, a surge of settlers, enticed by land speculators, disrupted this balance. Colonial officials couldn’t control the influx of settlers eager to claim the territory, leading to land disputes and coercive treaties that reshaped Kentucky’s landscape. Explore the nuanced history of Indigenous displacement in Kentucky as we delve into the impact of coercive treaties, encroaching settlements, and the erosion of Native lifeways during the late 18th century. This talk will explore concepts of colonialism, property ownership, and sovereignty.

Kelly Hyberger is the Native American Collections Specialist at the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, Kentucky and previously worked as the Director of Cultural Resources at the Museum of Us and as the Curator of Collections at the Frazier History Museum. Her tenure in the non-profit sector is focused on decolonial praxis in museum collections, the repatriation of Indigenous cultural heritage items, and methods for centering authentic, diverse narratives of US History in education and interpretation. Kelly holds a master’s in history, a master’s in teaching, and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Louisville. She has spoken domestically/internationally about the importance of decolonial stewardship and repatriation.