The significance of Native American Heritage Month at IU

As always, there’s a lot happening on our campus as we head into November, but one thing I believe is extremely important to highlight, this year and every year, is Native American Heritage Month. While many Indiana University students have somewhat of an understanding of Native American history, this month—and the entire calendar year, to be quite honest—should be used for all of us, including faculty and staff, to learn more about contemporary issues within Native American society.

One of the programs the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (OVPDEMA) is responsible for, the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center (FNECC), is helping us increase the awareness of topics relevant to Native American culture. At IU Indianapolis, the American Indian Programs—which encompass the IU Indianapolis Native American Faculty Staff Council, Native American Student Alliance at IU Indianapolis, the Native American Connections community outreach program, and Native American & Indigenous Studies, the academic studies program at the IU School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis—are more examples of how IU strives for diversity and inclusion on all of our campuses.

I hope this month can be an educational opportunity for the entire IU community to become more engaged about issues involving Native Americans and indigenous people worldwide.

Native American Heritage Month at IU Bloomington combines a celebration of the current culture with awareness of conditions that affect the Native American community. A month-long slate of events includes: Steven Paul Judd, an artist and filmmaker of Kiowa and Choctaw heritage, screening his latest film, “Ronnie BoDean”; a lunchtime speaker series at the FNECC; an Indian taco sale fundraiser for the American Indian Student Association; the 10th annual film series at the IMU’s Whittenberger Auditorium; workshops on beading and basket-making; a storytelling session; and events and talks on campus with the Mathers Museum of World Cultures and the Phi Beta Kappa Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the FNECC. And if none of the events fit your schedule, you can still participate by wearing moccasins to class or work during “Rock Your Moccs!!” week, Nov. 13-19.

 One change to IU’s Native American Heritage Month this year is that the Annual Traditional Powwow will move from the fall to the spring. The FNECC has outgrown the space for the popular event, so it will be held at IU Bloomington’s Dunn Meadow in April. I hope to see all of you at the sixth Annual Traditional Powwow—hopefully with beautiful weather outside—to experience performances from singers and dancers, and arts and crafts vendors representing several Native American tribal backgrounds from across the country.