Native American Heritage Month events announced
Nov. 5, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Several events will take place on the Western Michigan University campus during November in celebration of National American Indian Heritage Month. Three events are free and open to the public.
First up is a lecture/discussion on "Rediscovering Your Cultural Past" by John Bailey at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in Room 2212 of Dunbar Hall. Bailey, a lecturer, poet and storyteller of the Odawa Nation, works in the Northern Michigan Office of the Michigan Department of Commerce and is a former executive director of the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs. His appearance is being sponsored by the Division of Multicultural Affairs.
There will be an organic blues and folk music concert by singer/songwriter Joe Reilly the following week at noon Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Bernhard Center's Bronco Mall. Reilly, a Western Cherokee Indian and Kalamazoo native, plays acoustic guitar. He performs solo as well as with the band Bar Sugar and other ensembles.
The final event will be a discussion of stereotypes, cultural heritage and education by Native American educators at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, in Room 2203 of Sangren Hall. The presentation is sponsored by Students for Multicultural Education.
In 1990, President George Bush signed a bill recognizing November as National American Indian Heritage Month. The month celebrates the culture and contributions made by the first Americans: American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
For more information, contact Jodie G. Palmer in the Division of Multicultural Affairs at (616) 387-4106.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu