Native heritage festivities lengthened

UW-Eau Claire extends American Indian appreciation week to month-long celebration

By: Alexa Blatz

Posted: 4/7/05

This year, UW-Eau Claire is highlighting diversity by extending the celebration of Native American Awareness from one week to the entire month of April.

There will be 10 events held on campus throughout the month, including discussions, lectures and other activities.

The month of April was chosen because spring is for renewal and beginning, said Odawa White, retention coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and NASA adviser.

Events Planned for Native American Awareness

* Today, 7 to 8 p.m. Presentation on the Ghost Dance by Joseph Horse Capture, curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Hibbard 101.
* Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. "1825 Treaty at Prairie du Chien: A Historical Marker" featuring UW-Eau Claire history graduate students Brooks Bauer and Susan Caya. Potowatami Room, Davies Center.
* Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Our Stories, Our Lives" featuring a panel of UW-Eau Claire American Indian students. Davies Theater, Davies Center.
* April 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Act 31 - Educating for Social Justice in Indian Country" featuring Debra Barker, associate professor of English. Badger Room, Davies Center.
* April 21, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. "Ojibwe Spearing and Treaty Rights" featuring George Morrow, a Lac Courte Oreilles conservation officer. Alumni Room, Davies Center.
* April 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Native American Student Association Pow wow etiquette question and answer session. Tamarack Room, Davies Center.
* April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Native American Student Association Frybread Taco Sale. Davies Center veranda.
* April 22, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. "Ward Churchill: Is he for real and why do we care?" featuring Carl Allsup of UW-Platteville. Davies Theatre, Davies Center.
* April 27, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. "Revitalizing Native Traditions: Back to the Future" featuring Zoltan Grossman, assistant professor of geography.

One of the highlights of this year's event is the Honoring Education Pow wow, beginning at 11 a.m. April 23 in Zorn Arena.

There will be food and vendors and a grand entry begins at 1 p.m. with a feast planned for 5 p.m.

"It seems like (the Pow wow has) become a strong tradition in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley, because more people are inquiring about the Pow wow and look forward to attending," White said. "It's a chance for the campus community to open up for other native people in the Midwest to share their culture, dance, style and outfits."

The outfits the natives wear represent the dance styles and origins from different tribes, he said.

"I really encourage students to attend all the events, even if they are not for extra credit because they will learn something new," junior American Indian student Nichole Ray said.

The Native American Student Association was founded in 1989.

Its purpose is to organize Eau Claire's Native American students into a group through which they can identify each other for social purposes and to present their culture and traditions to other students on campus, according to the group's Web site.

"Diversity is not only an important social justice issue, it is also a key element of a quality education," said Kimberly Barrett, associate vice chancellor of Student Development and Diversity.

Barrett said celebrating Native American history is an effective way to combat the ignorance and prejudice many people are guilty of.

"I believe this month is a good time to debunk some of the myths about Native Americans and hear their perspective," she said. "I believe this is a critical step towards reducing the prejudice all of us have been taught."