Native American Educational and Cultural Center to celebrate heritage month
October 30, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Native American Educational and Cultural Center will host several events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
"This year, our theme is 'Tribal Sovereignty: The Politics and Complexity of Preserving Indigenous Rights in the U.S.,'" said center director Felica Ahasteen-Bryant. "The concept of independent nations within the U.S. is a difficult topic for non-Natives to comprehend. NAECC cultural programs will be an excellent opportunity to engage the larger community into challenges we face as native people and to highlight unique legal, economic and cultural issues associated with sovereignty."
One of the highlights of this year's observance will be a talk by Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). Mills, who won the 10,000-meter event in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, will speak from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Feature Gym of the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.
Mills works as an advocate for American Indian youths through his foundation, Running Strong for American Indian Youth. His talk is titled "From Olympic Gold Medalist to Philanthropist: Traveling the Native Path with Billy Mills."
His talk is sponsored by the NAECC, Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Purdue student chapter of American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Native American Student Association, Native American Indigenous Studies Program, and the LGBTQ Center. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, visit http://bit.ly/BillyMills.
Other scheduled events, which are open to the public, include:
* Tuesday (Nov. 4). 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Windsor Multimedia Room, Windsor Halls Dining Court. "Creating Hostility or Honoring Indians? Understanding the Controversy of American Indian Mascots." The issue of American Indian names and images as mascots, and whether it affects the campus community, will be discussed at this Cultural Lunch Series panel presentation. Local Native Americans will offer their perspective. The NAECC, Purdue Dining and Catering and University Residences are event co-sponsors.
* Wednesday (Nov. 5). 7-8:30 p.m. Stewart Center, 214 A-D. "Tribal Sovereignty: Examining the Concept of Self-Governing American Indian Nations." Chief Glenna Wallace from the Eastern Shawnee Tribe and Second Chief Ben Barnes from the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma will talk about how tribal sovereignty affects their individual nations and tribal survival and advancement. Sponsored by the NAECC and the DDI Constitution Series.
* Nov. 11. 6-7:30 p.m. Hillenbrand Dining Hall. Dinner and movie screening, "In Whose Honor: American Indian Mascots in Sports." This documentary shows the culture clash from the use of American Indian imagery in sports. A discussion of the film will follow. Sponsored by the NAECC, Purdue Dining and Catering, and University Residences.
* Nov. 18. 3-4:30 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 322, and 6-7 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 314. Eiteljorg Museum visiting artist Shirley Brauker. Brauker, of the Little River Band of Ottawa, shares her talents by teaching Native crafts and languages in Michigan. Her presentation will focus on ceramics and cultural traditions of the Ottawa people. She is the featured artist for Eiteljorg Museum's artist-in-residence program for November. Sponsored by the NAECC and the Eiteljorg Museum.
* Nov. 19. 6-7:30 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 314. NAECC Movie Night, featuring "Lesser Blessed." The film is a coming-of-age story about the struggles of "Skinny," a First Nation teenager growing up in the small northern town of Fort Simmer. The R-rated film is based on the novel by Richard Van Camp and features Kiowa Gordon (Hualapai), 2013 best supporting actor at the American Indian Film Festival. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.
* Nov. 20. 3-4:30 p.m. Krannert Auditorium. Native American Heritage Month closing ceremony, featuring David R. Boxley. Boxley (Tsimshian) is an artist from Alaska whose carvings and paintings reflect the influence of his Northwest Coast heritage. He will perform traditional dances and tell stories and legends of the Tsimshian people. Sponsored by the NAECC and the Eiteljorg Museum.
Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu
Source: Felica Ahasteen-Bryant, 765-494-4540, fahastee@purdue.edu
