Cultural celebration increases awareness
Brian J. Egerton
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Features
November is Native American Heritage Celebration Month. Throughout the month, the Native American Student Organization will be hosting a variety of activities on the UIC campus. There are two heritage celebration days; one that occurred on Nov. 11 and the other planned for Nov. 21. This year's theme is "Bridging Sciences with Native American Perspective."
The Native American Student Organization has been planning and coordinating this heritage celebration for nearly six months. The organization was founded fall 2006 under the advisory of Rita Hodge, the director of the Native American Support Program.
The Nov. 11 celebration involved many dynamic speakers. Eli Suzukovich, for example, gave a speech on "Native Rights Issues: Land & Water," which discussed how certain plants are very important to certain tribes. Recently, Suzukovich traveled to Fort Guernsy, Wyoming and helped catalog indigenous plant species with tribal botanists. These plants are used by the tribal members for medicine, food and cultural ceremonies. Suzukovich is working on his doctorate at the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont.
The keynote speaker was Megan Bang (Ph.D. Northwestern), the director of the education department at the American Indian Center of Chicago. Dr. Bang recently was awarded two National Science Foundation grants to help teach urban Native American students. She discussed how vital it is for youth to become connected to science, claiming that the US economy depends upon new future scientific discoveries.
On Nov. 21, there will be Native American Cultural demonstrations in the Fort Dearborn Room of SCE from 11 a.m. until noon. Josee Starr will teach Native American Beading, and students will also have the opportunity to make their own dreamcatchers. Native American vendors will be selling arts and crafts on the east and west concourse that day in SCE.
Starting at 6:00 p.m. there will be a traditional Native American pow-wow in the Illinois Room. Pow-wows are social celebrations that bring communities together; they are a way to renew old friendships and make new ones. The host drummer will be Crickethill, and the Thunder Hill drum group will also perform. The Native American dance performers will demonstrate various dances. Additionally, traditional Native American foods will be served (look for fried bread with honey and Indian tacos).
For more information on this month's events, contact Anthony T. Roy at aroy9@uic.edu, or the Native American support program at (312) 996-4515.
The Native American Student Organization has been planning and coordinating this heritage celebration for nearly six months. The organization was founded fall 2006 under the advisory of Rita Hodge, the director of the Native American Support Program.
The Nov. 11 celebration involved many dynamic speakers. Eli Suzukovich, for example, gave a speech on "Native Rights Issues: Land & Water," which discussed how certain plants are very important to certain tribes. Recently, Suzukovich traveled to Fort Guernsy, Wyoming and helped catalog indigenous plant species with tribal botanists. These plants are used by the tribal members for medicine, food and cultural ceremonies. Suzukovich is working on his doctorate at the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont.
The keynote speaker was Megan Bang (Ph.D. Northwestern), the director of the education department at the American Indian Center of Chicago. Dr. Bang recently was awarded two National Science Foundation grants to help teach urban Native American students. She discussed how vital it is for youth to become connected to science, claiming that the US economy depends upon new future scientific discoveries.
On Nov. 21, there will be Native American Cultural demonstrations in the Fort Dearborn Room of SCE from 11 a.m. until noon. Josee Starr will teach Native American Beading, and students will also have the opportunity to make their own dreamcatchers. Native American vendors will be selling arts and crafts on the east and west concourse that day in SCE.
Starting at 6:00 p.m. there will be a traditional Native American pow-wow in the Illinois Room. Pow-wows are social celebrations that bring communities together; they are a way to renew old friendships and make new ones. The host drummer will be Crickethill, and the Thunder Hill drum group will also perform. The Native American dance performers will demonstrate various dances. Additionally, traditional Native American foods will be served (look for fried bread with honey and Indian tacos).
For more information on this month's events, contact Anthony T. Roy at aroy9@uic.edu, or the Native American support program at (312) 996-4515.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Arline Pohovey
posted 11/18/08 @ 3:46 PM CST
This is what our country is all about----giving recognition to all people of various heritage. How appropriate to salute our Native Americans at this time of the year, as they were such an important part of America's history. (Continued…)
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