Native American Heritage Activities
The following activities are being planned on the MTU campus and surrounding
community for Native American Heritage Month 2000: Beginning Friday, September
23, 2000 and lasting throughout the months of October and November, the
Ni'iihi' Photo Exhibit by Sara Wiles will be on display at the Finlandia
Heritage Center Theater in Hancock, MI. The exhibit is on loan from the
Buffalo Bill Historical Society in Cody, Wyoming. Ni'iihi' is a phrase
in the Arapaho language which means living "in a good way". This exhibit
of photographs by Sara Wiles, provides insight into such values and traditions
which guide contemporary Arapaho life. The exhibition also honors Arapaho
individuals who contribute much to their own communities as leaders, artists,
educators, and traditionalists. Sara Wiles photographs have been widely
exhibited in Wyoming and nationally. The exhibit will end on November
17, 2000.
On Friday, November 3rd, MTU will host it's 5th Annual Native American
Speaker's Forum from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom,
and Isle Royal Rooms. Speakers include: Michael Wassegijig Price (a member
of the Wikwemikong First Nations in Ontario) Chairman of the Math & Science
Department of Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake MN. Mr. Price has
a master of Science in Biology from Hamptom University. He will speak
on "Science, Technology and Traditions". Earl Nyholm, Ojibwe linguist
and former professor of Ojibwe language at Bemidji State University will
speak about the construction of the traditional Ojibwe canoe. In the summer
of 1997, a film crew from the Smithsonian's folk life office documented
the construction of a traditional Ojibwe canoe in which Earl served as
master builder. Earl's eighty-four -year-old mother, Julia, assisted along
with Mark Wabanikee, an apprentice from Bear Island in Lake Michigan,
several of Earl's relatives living on the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin,
and a craftswoman from the Red Cliff reservation, Diane Defoe. The video
"Earl's Canoe" will be shown during the presentation. Debbie Parrish,
president of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Ojibwa Community College,
will speak on "The Tribal College Inititative". Wes Andrews, of Little
Traverse Bay Band of Odawa will speak on the "Native American Graves Protection
Act" (NAGPRA), and Marlene Carlson, RN of the Upper Pennisula Diabetes
Network will have a presentation on "Native Americans and Diabetes".
On Saturday, November 4, 2000 the 2nd Annual Walt Bresette Memorial Walk/Run
will take place, beginning at the Gates Tennis Center. At 1:00 p.m Grand
Entry begins for the 5th Annual MTU Spirit of the Harvest Powwow and Gathering
at the Gates Tennis Center on the MTU campus in Houghton. This year features
the Wisconsin Indian Veteran's Association-Lac du Flambeau Chapter Color
Guard. Head dancers are Donald and Karlene Chosa. Host drum is Morning
Thunder. Co-Host drum is Tree Town. Additional drums are encouraged to
register by October 1, 2000 by calling 906/487-2920. Dancers will receive
an honorarium. There will be Native American vendors, crafts and food
available. All activities are open and free to the public. Schools are
encouraged and invited to bring students to the Speakers Forum for their
Native American Heritage month activities A donation of $5.00 is requested
for the Walt Bresette Memorial Walk/Run and $3.00 for Powwow entry. For
more information, contact Doreen Baron or Sally Brunk at 906/487-2920
or dgbaron@mtu.edu or srbrunk@mtu.edu.
