The celebration is scheduled to begin on Columbus Day because, “the fact is that Columbus didn’t find America,” says Mona Mazzotti, Outreach and Social Justice Programs Coordinator at the MCC.
Monday jump-starts the event on the Quad at noon with a bang, quite literally, by a student drum group, dancing and opening prayers. Various student clubs will be tabling, selling T-shirts and sharing information.
Following the kick-off there will be a very special Native American Creating Community Reception in the Kate Buchanan Room from 5 to 8 p.m. with drumming, songs, prayers, storytelling and “lots of yummy food,” Mazzotti adds.
Tuesday includes an ice cream social along with a screening of Zulu Dawn, a video about indigenous peoples in Africa and a Native Film Screening class taught by Marlon Sherman, Assistant Professor of Native American Studies in the evening.
As the week goes on, more and more Indigenous perspectives will emerge and spread through the quad during the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum. These words of wisdom for the community are to be followed by a Peace & Dignity Report Back that will illuminate some of the shared prophecies of the northern and southern indigenous peoples.
As the commemoration winds down, the focus will be shifted toward celebrating health. Thursday is centered around native traditional health, with a variety of speakers and events in the Goodwin Forum illustrating various Indigenous health practices.
This exciting week begins with a bang and a drum and will end just as impressively. The thoughts and ideas generated and shared throughout the week will be summed up during a cultural sharing in the Goodwin Forum from 4 to 7 p.m. Then the fun explodes with a lively and creative Native Hip Hop Concert from 8 to midnight.
The week is bound to be a memorable one. Luke Trout, secretary of the Ensuring Native Inherent Traditions club says, “This will be a great way for members of our campus and community to become aware of indigenous perspectives and traditions. Indigenous Peoples’ Week is also a wonderful opportunity for Native Americans to come together and celebrate all they have overcome since 1492.”
For more information on the week’s events check out the Multicultural Center’s Web site at http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/multicultural/index.php