The legacy and pride of the Native American spirit awakens in November, when the fall air is crisp and multi-colored leaves decorate the land.
Native Americans throughout the United States celebrate their unique culture, history, traditions and art in this month, according to the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The University’s Native American Student Association will host a variety of events highlighting the American Indian culture and traditions during November.
One event will focus on the role of women in Native American cultures, and another will focus on the shared experiences of black Americans and Native Americans.
“We are trying to make the campus aware of Native American issues,” said William G. Archambeault, a professor of social work.
Pam Bloom, treasurer of the Native American Student Association, said students should take advantage of the programs held in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
“I’m hopeful that everyone takes the time to learn about our culture,” she said.
According to the DOI Web site, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a member of the Seneca tribe and director of the Museum of Arts and Science, was the first person to petition the Boy Scouts of America to establish a day honoring American Indians.
The Web site says in 1915 the Congress of the American Indian Association approved American Indian Day. New York was the first state to recognize and celebrate it.
The site also says in 1990 President George H. W. Bush declared November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Bloom, who identifies herself as an Apache Choctaw indian, said she believes that celebrating the American Indian Heritage is important and that University students should come to recognize that Native Americans are all around them.
Dr. Ralph L. Dru, who is a Cheyenne indian and chief medical officer for the Department of Defense, said one of the country’s strengths is its diversity.
“We are all Americans. We believe in democracy. We believe in the same god,” Dru said.
He also said there is a lot of diversity within the Native American culture.
“We as a group of people come from all different backgrounds,” Dru said.
He said it is important that the American Indian culture is understood and respected.
Dru said there are common misconceptions and misunderstandings about the American Indian culture. One misconception is that Native Americans are pagans, he said. Native Americans are a group of people who observed the environment around them, Dru said. They watched the four seasons, the snow and the rain. Then they decided that that there was a maker.
The eagle represents the maker, he said. And to the indians, the maker is god.
“We have to learn to respect one another’s beliefs about this maker,” he said.
Bloom said the Native American Student Association was formed on campus in 2000 to educate students about the American Indian culture.
She said currently there are 30 student members, and the organization is actively pursuing about 100 students who identify themselves as Native American to join.
According to the Office of Budget and Planning Web site, 106 University students identify themselves as American Indian.