The Gerontology Institute presents the Barbara Pittard Payne Lectureship in Gerontology featuring a screening of Finding Pesa Sooname: A Story of Identity, Community, and Dementia.

Created in partnership with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, this powerful 30-minute film explores dementia through a Native lens, illuminating the cultural strengths, challenges and lived realities of Native communities impacted by dementia. Grounded in a participatory qualitative research process, the film centers authentic, unfiltered stories shared on participants’ own terms—rejecting traditional research constraints in favor of collaboration and community voice.

Anchored by “pesa sooname,” Northern Paiute for “good think” or “good thought,” the narrative highlights the transformative role of positivity, cultural identity and community connection in dementia care and well-being.

Following the screening, Casey Venturini (Assistant Director, Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research Program, University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health) and Carla Eben (Director, Numaga Senior Services, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) will lead a discussion exploring key themes, including:

• Building authentic partnerships with Native communities

• Decolonizing research and service delivery

• The role of storytelling and narrative in promoting well-being

• Culturally responsive approaches to dementia care

Participants will engage in meaningful dialogue and reflect on how participatory and culturally grounded approaches can foster equity, inclusion and dignity in their own communities.

This lecture continues the legacy of the Barbara Pittard Payne Lectureship by bringing distinguished voices in gerontology to Georgia State to advance conversation, research and practice in aging.