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November is National Native American Heritage Month and ������ has events planned throughout the month to celebrate, recognize and inform people about the culture, traditions, histories, art and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Coming Together with Nature

The month began with a “Coming Together with Nature” event at the Williamson House on Nov. 1. Native American Elder Nell Orndorf, her husband Jim and ������ Grounds Manager Rebekkah Berryhill came to share Native American history and teach the tradition of prayer ties.

Prayer ties and Community

Generations of Native Americans have offered prayer ties to the Great Spirit in exchange for blessings. It is an old tradition among the Lakota and Seminole tribes. Anyone may study and practice this earth-centered ritual of making and using prayer ties as an intentional tool for prayer or healing. the making of the ties is part of the prayer and blessing ritual. Making the ties themselves is a meditative action. The maker’s prayer or intention begins as they prepare the ties.

Then, the maker secures the prayer ties to a place they consider sacred, like a shrub or a tree, or an outdoor structure. Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, director of ������’s Women’s Center in the Division of Student Life, said that she hopes to blanket ������’s campus with prayer ties during the month of November.

A display in Prentice Hall, made by an intern in ������'s Women's Center, honors indigenous women.

“In this time of unrest and uncertainty, nationally and globally, this is a great opportunity to elevate the voices and traditions of the indigenous community, coming together in appreciation and to share support,” said Pegg-Kirby. “Our hope is that with the support and awareness of our campus community, and the visual reminder of that love and support with the prayer ties, we can counter the challenging climate.”

Events at the Student Multicultural Center

The focus of this year’s events at the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center is on appreciating and honoring Native American culture and welcoming all participants, who may or may not be Native American. This year’s theme, “Honoring the Past, Recognizing the Present, Making Stories for the Future,” pays tribute to traditions while embracing current experiences, and preserving them for next generations. In describing their celebration, the Student Multicultural Center published this statement: “As we honor those who came before, we celebrate those making strides in the present day to advance cultural preservation and restorative justice. And thinking toward the future, we remind ourselves not only to share these stories in November, but year-round.”

Citizens of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Chitat Killsback and Kaylanah Strange Owl speaking to conference attendees at theTransforming Educational Praxis through Dialogue with Indigenous Perspectives conference, held on Sept. 28, 2023, at ������. Photo courtesy of ������'s College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS)

������ prides itself on its commitment to core values of respect, kindness and the peaceful exchange of ideas. Events such as Native American Heritage Month are an important part of the university's internationally lauded work in healing divided communities with peaceful conflict resolution.

Upcoming Native American Heritage Month events at ������ include:

No More Stolen Sisters: Gather and Give Back

A discussion of missing and murdered indigenous women and how to take action.

4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15

Williamson Alumni House

Native American Heritage Month Celebration

A celebration of Native American culture and heritage with food and community.

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 

Kent Student Center – Ballroom Balcony

She’s Gone Missing: The Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

5:45-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28

Bowman Hall, room. 137

Header photo: Members of the Northern Cheyenne tribe lead students from ������'s Child Develpment Center in a traditional dance at "Transforming Educational Praxis through Dialogue with Indigenous Perspectives" conference at ������ in September. Photo courtesy of ������'s College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS)