American Indian sophomore student Nichole Ray lives in two worlds.

One revolves around the general society in which she lives, attending UW-Eau Claire as a non-traditional student.

The other centers on Ray’s efforts to maintain her cultural identity as a member of the Lakota tribe.

Starting today, Ray and other members of the Native American Student Association will attempt to bridge the gap between the two worlds through Native American Awareness Week.

Events, including lectures, discussions, a free concert and a Pow Wow, run through Saturday.

“If you go to Native American Awareness Week, any stereotypes you have will disappear,” Ray said.

One of those that the group tries to counteract is the idea that all American Indians are the same.

There are 561 federally recognized tribes and about 200 working for recognition, Ray said.

“You’ve got a lot of difference there,” she said. “We’re not just one straight homogenous Indian.”

Eau Claire has about 71 Native American students on campus, said Odawa White, student services coordinator for the American Ethnic Coordinating office.

Like Ray, he encourages the larger campus and local communities to attend the week’s events.

Saturday’s Pow Wow, which begins at 1 p.m. in Zorn Arena, is a particularly good opportunity to get involved, he said.

The Pow Wow, which costs $3 to attend, is an opportunity for the public to see singing and dancing styles from a variety of tribes, particularly those in Wisconsin, White said.

The $3 admission for the event also includes a traditional American Indian meal, said sophomore Rolaine Bearhart, a member of the Native American Student Association.

The student group will operate a food booth at the event to offer traditional American Indian fare and raise funds for their organization.

The group has been working to coordinate the week’s events for about six months, Bearhart said.

Although the Pow Wow has been the group’s emphasis, students of any major can find relevant and interesting information at the week’s events, Ray said.

Geology majors, for instance, might be interested in today’s lecture by assistant geography professor Zoltan Grossman, Ray said. The lecture, entitled “Native and non-native opposition to the proposed Crandon Mine,” will be held at noon in the Arrowhead Room of Davies Center.

Sociology and psychology majors, Ray said, might be interested in presentations on the issue of the Osseo-Fairchild School District mascot, the Chieftain. The mascot issue discussions will be held today at 1 and 4 p.m. in the Menominee Room of Davies Center.

Nursing or social work majors can benefit from a presentation on traditional healing and holistic medicine, Ray said. Dr. Linda Gourneau will present on the subject at noon Friday in the Arrowhead Room of Davies Center.

Ray also encouraged all students to attend Thursday’s Annie Humphrey free concert, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Fire Room of Davies Center.

Humphrey took home dual honors at the 2001 Native American Music Awards, winning both the best female artist and best country/folk recording categories.

“(Humphrey) writes songs that cross boundaries of just pertaining to Indian people,” Ray said.

Crossing those boundaries and raising awareness are what the week is all about, she said.

“(American Indians) are not just museum pieces,” Ray said. “We’re here to stay.”