Native American Awareness Week continues at MSU

Native American Awareness Week runs through Friday (Nov 21) at Minot State University. All activities, except for the presentation by Alyce Spotted Bear, will be held in the MSU Conference Center, located on the third floor of the MSU Student Center.

"We have arranged to have presenters from area reservations (Fort Berthold, Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake) and the United Tribes Technical College to speak during our Native American Cultural Awareness Week," said Wylie Hammond, director of multicultural support services and the Native American Cultural Center. "Faculty, students, staff and the community are encouraged to take advantage of this ‘insight’ into Native American people and culture."

On Wednesday (Nov. 19), an Indian taco sale was held on the first floor of Old Main, where arts and crafts were also displayed.

Activities on Thursday (Nov. 20) include Nelrene Yellowbird, assistant professor of social work, and Harry Hoffman, associate professor of sociology, discussing "Cultural Competency and Cultural Trespassing: Finding the Boundaries" at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., Dr. Monica Mayer will speak about "The Medicines of Lewis and Clark and the Three Affiliated Tribes." As part of the Northwest Art Center lecture series, Alyce Spotted Bear, an English instructor at Fort Berthold Community College, will present "Boarding Schools: Long-term Effects on Native Culture and Communities" in Aleshire Theater at 7 p.m.

On Friday (Nov. 21), Vernon Lambert will discuss "Spirit Lake Tribal Constitutional Law" at 10 a.m.

These free cultural events and presentations are open to the public and sponsored by the MSU Native American Cultural Awareness Club. The dates and times of events are subject to change. For questions, contact Hammond at 858-3365 or wylie.hammond@minotstateu.edu.