Native American Heritage Month celebrates its 25th year
The celebration of Native American Heritage Month has happened every November since a resolution was signed in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. This year marks its 25th anniversary.
What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has evolved into a whole month designated for that purpose. Since Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month,” similar proclamations, under variant names (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994. Texas is home to hundreds of tribes of American Indians including: Apache, Biloxi, Cherokee, Comanche, Karankawa, Tigua and Waco to name a few.
During the month of November, UHCL’s Intercultural Student Services (ISS) celebrates and honors Native American Heritage Month by bringing awareness to students on the UHCL campus concerning the culture, diversity, challenges and traditions of indigenous tribes of North America.
Currently, ISS has two events planned on campus. There will be a “Sketch a Dreamcatcher” event Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Alumni Plaza. There will be snacks, refreshments, music, etc. This event entails students participating in sketching a dreamcatcher in honor of Native American tribes while learning about Native Americans of the U.S. and their culture. In Native American culture, dreamcatchers are handmade crafts that consist of a round hoop and decorated with beads and feathers. These are used to keep out bad dreams while sleeping.
The documentary, “The Canary Effect”, will be shown Thursday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. in the Garden Room. “The Canary Effect” delves into the historical treatment of Native Americans in the U.S. There will also be a forum discussion after the film.
“I saw a flyer for the dreamcatcher event,” said Alexis Davlin, communication major. “I think all heritages are important so I will probably go. I’m sure it will be fun, and I am always willing to learn something new.”
American Indian and Alaskan Native is one of the six major race categories classified by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The nation’s population of American Indians and Alaskan Natives made up about 2 percent of the total population in 2014. Of this total, about 48 percent were American Indian and Alaska Native only, and about 52 percent were American Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races. There are approximately 40 UHCL current students who identify themselves as Native American.
“Native American Heritage Month is important to celebrate on campus for the same reasons it is important to acknowledge and honor all other cultural or ethnic backgrounds on campus,” said Erika Garcia, intercultural student services coordinator. “It is important to acknowledge this identity for those students who form part of this group, but it is equally important for the student population at large learn the themes, issues, and experiences of Native American groups. It is important that as an institution of higher education that the sentiment toward Native Americans not be associated with something historical or no longer relevant.”
Off campus, a two-day Native American Pow Wow will be held in Houston at Traders Village on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15. The Pow Wow includes colorful tribal dance contests, arts and crafts shows, tipis, food booths, honoring ceremonies, singing and much more. Several hundred Native Americans, representing dozens of tribes from across the U.S., will take part in this celebration of their culture and heritage.
For more information about campus events, visit the UHCL Intercultural Student Services website. To learn more about the Pow Wow, visit Houston’s Traders Village website.
