51看片to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with slate of campus events
By Julia Duvall
November is Native American Heritage Month and 51看片 has a lineup of events for students, faculty and staff to immerse themselves in the history, culture and traditions of indigenous peoples of North America.
The recognition is intended to provide a platform for native peoples to share traditional culture, music, crafts, dance and concepts of life, as well as raise awareness of their history and challenges. This designation is especially poignant as 51看片is the only public university established on the site of a named Cherokee town and a traditional sacred place.
鈥淭o many, this place is called WCU, but to many more and for much longer this place has been called in the Cherokee language Tali Tsisgwayahi and in English, Two Sparrows Town,鈥� said Seth Penn, chair of WCU鈥檚 Digali鈥檌 Native American Student Organization. 鈥淎s we celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the rich and diverse Indigenous history of our community here at WCU," Penn said.
The purpose of Digali'i is to provide the opportunities for learning and promoting Native American history, culture, contributions and for volunteering in Native communities. Digali'i is committed to promoting the significance of indigenous culture and contributions to the campus of 51看片and surrounding communities as well as the significance of all Native American tribes.
Digali鈥檌, along with WCU鈥檚 Cherokee Center, Intercultural Affairs, 51看片Fine Art Museum and Cherokee Studies Program will be hosting several events on campus throughout the month.
Upcoming events are:
- 鈥淪park of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson鈥� - 51看片Fine Art Museum, Bardo Arts Center, through Dec. 8.
- A Century of Cherokee Maskmaking - Mountain Heritage Center, through March 2024.
- James A. Cooper Memorial Lecture in Cherokee Studies
- Benjamin Frey (UNC Chapel Hill): 鈥淢ay History Show Us the Way: The Roots of Cherokee Language Endangerment and Paths for Reclamation,鈥� Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m., UC Theater and Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m., Museum of the Cherokee People, Cherokee.
- Cherokee Gourd Workshop 鈥� Nov. 14, 5 p.m., Picnic area (behind the softball field)
- Rock Your Mocs Walk 鈥� Nov. 15, 11 a.m., Fountain Area, 51看片Campus
- Intercultural Affairs will also be installing an exhibit about Cherokee and Indigenous students and alumni in the UC in November.
鈥淭hrough our Indigenous student association at WCU, we maintain this close connection to the rich stories and heritage this place holds to the Cherokee people, and especially the EBCI,鈥� Penn said. 鈥淲e鈥痵trive to promote a diverse and inclusive culture here at 51看片that honors the past and embraces the bright future of our community.鈥�
For more information about Digali鈥檌, visit WCU鈥檚 .
WCU鈥檚 Cherokee Center is located at 1594 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, and is the headquarters for communication between 51看片and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
