American Indian Heritage Month fosters awareness
While there are millions of different cultures in the world, some people have only an idea of a few cultures and their values and traditions.
This month students have the opportunity to learn about a different culture that has been in America for hundreds of years.
November is American Indian Heritage Month, and NDSU has many presentations and events planned for students.
The Multicultural Student Services at NDSU provided the line-up for speakers and events.
Malika Carter, assistant director of Multicultural Student Services, is in charge of scheduling the events and contacting people.
“ The Multicultural Student Services works primarily with domestic students — students that are permanent residents of the states — and students of color,” Carter said. “However, we make sure that we are a voice for all students, and in doing that we strike a delicate balance between making sure we represent people who are ... traditionally unheard in our society, which are students of color.”
NDSU believes that having more students with different backgrounds enhances the college experience for all students, she said.
“ We do retention and recruitment for students of color to come to NDSU,” Carter said.
In order to have a diverse NDSU community, events such as Cultural Awareness Month and American Indian Heritage Month create awareness of the other cultures.
To gather people to speak at the events for American Indian Heritage Month, Carter contacted many people all over the state.
MCSS also sent out a letter to find people to speak or perform on issues important to American Indians.
Speakers who participated in the powwow last year received the letter to see if they were able to come to the events.
Carter said she tried to have as many tribes as possible represented during the month.
She also said she found many people not willing to speak about American Indian culture, so she had to find activists and people who do crafts to come and speak.
“We also have a sisterhood circle,” Carter said. “This circle brings together women of color just to be able to talk about their experiences with one another to gain strength.”
She said that the sisterhood circle Nov. 16 is dedicated to American Indian issues.
The Plains Art Museum is responsible for another event. They have an 18-wheeler that has American Indian artifacts and art in it that will be parked near the Memorial Union, Carter said.
“ I just wanted to offer an educational opportunity so people can broaden their horizons and learn something different just by sheer luck of walking past or just walking in and out,” Carter said.
For this event, Carter said she wanted to have all aspects of American Indians represented and not just the hardships or traditions. She wants people to learn that American Indians can be a defense lawyer, a professor or anything else they want to be.
“ When people think ‘Native American,’ I don’t think they think successful,” Carter said. “This will hopefully widen the eyes and the lenses that see Native Americans in only one light.”
Overall, the main point of this whole month of events is to gain and heighten awareness, Carter said.
The events kick-off at 11 a.m. today with Jan Morely, Assistant U.S. Attorney, presenting in the Peace Garden room.
For more information, go to the NDSU Multicultural Web site at www.ndsu.edu/multicultural/.