Southern Connecticut State University

Celebrates National Native American Heritage Month

All are invited to help Southern Connecticut State University celebrate Native American Heritage Month. During this month, we bring awareness to the important contributions of Native peoples. There are a number of programs planned to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced historically and in the present. We hope you will join us.

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter, commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "the President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities". This landmark bill honoring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then President Reagan proclaiming November 23-30, 1986, as "American Indian Week". (Data from: Wikipedia)

Today, November is National Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate Native Americans rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It’s also a time to educate the public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced. Join us as the SCSU community celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

Events

Southern Dining Services Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
Wednesday, November 2,11:00am – 2:00pm
Connecticut Hall
Did you know Native Americans invented what we know today as barbeque? The Arawak would slow-smoke meats and called their preparations "barbacoa" or “sacred firepit,” and that over time became “barbecue.” These cooking methods were superb at keeping their foods from prematurely spoiling. These Taino-Arawak and Caribbean natives used green wood to smoke meat over indirect heat. Smoking this way could take up to 12 hours, but yielded tender, juicy proteins. Enjoy a barbecue lunch as well as an assortment of corn, squash and beans for $8.00 and learn fun facts about the tribes of the Americas.

Buley Library Celebrates Native American History Month
November 7th-30th
Buley Library
Come to Buley Library for displays showcasing Native American/First Nations authors and artists!

Notable Native American History Tabling
Tuesday, November 8, 12pm – 1pm
Adanti Student Center Café
Join the Multicultural Center for a tabling event for Native American Heritage Month. Learn about Notable Native Americans in history to celebrate the rich and diverse traditions, histories, and contributions of Native peoples.

Cena a las Seis
Tuesday, November 8, 6:00pm
Adanti Student Center 236
Join the Multicultural Center for “dinner at six!” All are welcome to enjoy a family-style dinner. The highlight of the night will be the featured guest presenter, Professor Carlos Torre, from the Department of Education. Professor Torre will share his experience navigating Hispanic and Indigenous identities. This monthly event is a special opportunity to foster relationships with faculty and the students in an intimate setting.

The Bears on Pine Ridge: Movie Screening and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, November 15, 4:00pm
Adanti Student Center Theater
The Latino and Native American Film Festival Committee (LANAFF) will screen a deeply moving, hard-hitting documentary titled The Bears on Pine Ridge, along with a live panel discussion with elders and early childhood educators, and film producers from the Pine Ridge Reservation. This documentary brings a cinematic POV-style, telling a dynamic story of hope and resilience during the toughest of times for an isolated Indigenous community. Viewers are given unprecedented access to a state-of-emergency happening on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, as the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe is devastated by a shocking surge of youth suicide attempts (the highest in the country). Two Lakota elders, Yvonne “Tiny” Decory and Eileen Janis, take the crisis into their own hands, enlisting a courageous group of suicide survivor youth to band together to bring joy to the reservation. Stay for a Q&A with Elder Tiny DeCory, Elder Eileen Janis, and Laticia DeCory and hear about their work with the BEAR Project.?

Movie Night: Brother Bear
Tuesday, November 22, 4:30pm
Adanti Student Center 234
Join the MCC’s "Evening?Connection" for the screening of Brother Bear, a 2003 animated film. After an impulsive Inuit boy named Kenai kills a bear in revenge for his brother's death, the Spirits transform him into a bear as punishment. Now, Kenai must literally walk in another's footsteps until he learns some valuable life lessons, including the meaning of brotherhood.

Sponsored by:

Buley Library
Curriculum & Learning
Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Latino & Native American Film Festival
Multicultural Center
Southern Dining Services
Philosophy Department
Women's and Gender Studies