Colorado State University Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Colorado State University’s Native American Cultural Center is celebrating Native American Heritage Month with a series of events in November. The events are intended to educate the CSU and local community about the Native American culture, history and customs.

"The Native American Cultural Center, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the Native American Student Association are very proud of the variety of events being held during Native American Heritage Month,” said Ty Smith, director of CSU’s Native American Cultural Center.

“I know our time schedules can be very busy during this time of year, but I encourage everyone to take advantage of events such as these to learn more about another culture.”

A schedule of events follows.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Pow-wow 101
5 – 6 p.m.
Lory Student Center, Room 220-2
Local resident Randy Medicine Bear will explain the basics of Pow-wow. The presentation will range from the different styles of dancing and singing to the traditional aspects of Pow-wow. Pow-wow is a wonderful way to remember and celebrate heritage, culture and traditions among Native Americans. (Sponsored by the American Indian Science & Engineering Society and Associated Students of Colorado State University.)

Friday, Nov. 4

Drum Group Performance and Frybread Sale
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lory Student Center Plaza
To celebrate Native American Awareness Month, drum groups will provide a performance on the LSC Plaza. Frybread will be sold during the event. (Sponsored by the American Indian Science & Engineering Society and Associated Students of Colorado State University.)

Another Indian Uprising – Native Comedy
5 – 7 p.m.
Lory Student Center, East Ballroom
Once upon a time there was a nerd, a mugger and a model… who caused Another Indian Uprising! These three Native American comedians, Jim Ruel, Gilbert Brown and Shishonia, share personal stories of growing up native in this crazy world. This offbeat bag of funny performs a live, 90-minute stand-up comedy show. (Sponsored by the Student Activities Board and Lila B. Morgan Fund.)

Saturday, Nov. 5

Colorado State University 29th Annual AISES Pow-wow
Pow-wow: Noon – 10 p.m.
Grand Entry: 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Pow-wow Feed: 5 p.m.
Lory Student Center Main Ballroom
In an effort to increase awareness of Native cultures at Colorado State University, the Native American Cultural Center, American Indian Science & Engineering Society, Associated Students of Colorado State University and Colorado State University will sponsor the 28th Annual CSU Pow- wow. Community members and students alike are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event, which will feature Native dancers, drum groups, food, social events and more.

Monday, Nov. 7

Sand Creek Massacre National Historical Site
Noon – 1 p.m.
Lory Student Center, Room 208
Tom Meier, historian and longtime consultant to the Northern Arapaho Tribe, and Karen Wilde-Rogers of the National Park Service will present with Ben Ridgley, tribal representative of the Northern Arapaho Sand Creek Project Committee. On Nov. 29, 1864, 650 volunteer Colorado militia attacked a camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians along Sand Creek in southeastern Colorado. More than 250 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed that morning, mostly women, children and elders. The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic site was officially authorized on Nov. 7, 2000. (Sponsored by the Native American Cultural Center.)

Revisiting the Cowboys and Indians Incident of 2010
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Lory Student Center Virginia Dale Room
Underrepresented students on a large campus are bound to run into situations where they are targeted. In spring 2010, University of Wyoming Cowboys played the CSU Rams in a basketball game that resulted in some CSU fans campaigning for a “Cowboys vs. Indians” theme at the game. Come for a panel discussion of how events unfolded, how these events affected the Native American community as a whole and some of the positive outcomes of using this as a teachable moment on the CSU campus. (Sponsored by the Native American Cultural Center.)

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Women @Noon
Outcomes of the Indian Adoption Project: Assault on our Indigenous Cultures.
Noon – 1 p.m.
Aylesworth, Room C 111
Susan Harness, CSU field director for the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention, will explore the history and issues of American Indian transracial adoption and its impact on American Indian families and culture through an examination of its use as a tool of assimilation.

Native Women’s Circle is designed to help retain female Native students at CSU by providing a culturally inclusive and sensitive atmosphere on campus. It is our goal to provide a community that is the basis for academic success and help build the foundation for Native women to obtain professional careers. (Sponsored by the Women and Gender Advocacy Center, Native Women’s Circle and Native American Cultural Center.)

Friday, Nov. 11

Duhesa Art Lounge Exhibit Opening
5 – 8 p.m.
Lory Student Center Duhesa Lounge
Native American Heritage Month celebrates the opening of a new exhibition of work by contemporary Native American artists. Highlighting the creativity and passion of these living artists, the exhibit continues the celebration of Native American cultures throughout its stay at CSU. Ceremony includes Drum Group performances, and the new exhibit will feature artwork selected from various Native American artists. (Sponsored by Student Activities and the Lory Student Center Arts Program.)

Native American Book Displays throughout the month of November
• Colorado State University Book Store, Lory Student Center
• Morgan Library, Colorado State University campus
• Fort Collins Public Library, 201 Peterson St.

The Native American Cultural Center would like to thank and acknowledge the following organizations for their participation: Accion; Associated Students of Colorado State University; American Indian Science & Engineering Society; Ethnic Studies; Native Women’s Circle; Division of Student Affairs; Northern Arapaho Sand Creek Project; CSU Bookstore; Morgan Library; Lory Student Center; Poudre River Public Library District; Campus Activities; Native American Student Association; Tribal Technical Assistance Program; Lory Student Center Arts Program; Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research; Women and Gender Advocacy Center; and the Ram Nation Drum Group.

For more information, visit: www.nacc.colostate.edu or call (970) 491-1332.
 

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