Breadcrumb
Native American Heritage Month offers celebrations, reflection
Christina Haswood
A ceremonial blessing, thought-provoking films and comedy routines and a cultural art unveiling are among the diverse array of events planned for November in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.听
鈥淲e want to honor the rich traditions of our Native American students while also educating the Pacific community,鈥� said Mario Enriquez, director for the Center for Identity and Inclusion. 鈥淚t is important for our students to be exposed to diverse voices and have a deep understanding of cultural awareness.鈥澨�
The signature event will be 鈥�An Evening with Rep. Christina Haswood,鈥� Nov. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the DeRosa University Center ballroom. It will also be . Haswood, a member of the Navajo tribe, is one of the youngest members of the Kansas Legislature.
Haswood will share her thoughts as a young indigenous woman. Growing up, her family struggled with poverty after moving to Kansas from the Navajo reservation in Arizona looking for better opportunities.
She went on to attend Arizona State University where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Public Health and a master鈥檚 in Public Health Management from the University of Kansas Medical Center.
On Nov. 3, the Native American Student Services lounge will be blessed inside the new Center for Identity and Inclusion in McCaffrey Center at 5:30 p.m. 听
A Native American Heritage Month Cultural Exhibit will be unveiled Nov. 5 at the Native American Indian Center in Stockton from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The gallery will include a mix of pieces from various artists and is open to the public.
On Nov. 10 students can view video clips from 鈥�Native American Comedy Slam鈥� in the LGBTQ+ Resource Center inside the Center for Identity and Inclusion from 5 to 6 p.m. The stand-up acts address stereotypes through comedy.
Movies will be shown throughout the month including a screening of Nov. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the main lounge of the Center for Identity and Inclusion.听
The 2018 Emmy-winning documentary tells the story of Native American families in the United States whose children were systematically removed from their homes and placed with white foster families.
ASuop, Pacific鈥檚 governing student body, will continue its DEI Cinema Series with three movies: 鈥�Songs my Brothers Taught Me鈥� Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Long Theatre, 鈥�Beans鈥� Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. in the Janet Leigh Theatre and 鈥�I Dream in Another Language鈥� Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. in the Janet Leigh Theatre.
First-year student Caroline Rivera 鈥�26, who is from the Sioux, Yakama and Cowlitz tribes, said the month holds significance for both Native American students and allies.
"It gives not only the university, but the community a chance to celebrate our rich and diverse culture,鈥� Rivera said. 鈥淎s a Native American student, I believe in highlighting my people鈥檚 culture, and the inequities/exclusivity Native American/indigenous students face is a crucial part of establishing our presence here at 糖心vlog."
