Native American Heritage Month is a time for everyone to recognize the history of Indigenous communities locally and worldwide and to highlight the contributions the community has made that often go underrepresented, according to Keller senior Julianna Canas, the president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicano Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM.
Browsing: Native American Heritage Month
“A lot of times they use what’s called the blood quantum rule, so it dictates whatever percentage you are of Native American,” Canas said. “There’s also the tragedy of a lot of tribes nowadays; after the next generation, they will not be considered Native anymore. The whole philosophy and the identity behind it is dictated by the U.S. government, but currently, there is a big push between us to kind of build the identity for ourselves.”
On Nov. 12, Waco Mayor Jim Holmes met with Ross as well as Wichita and Affiliated Tribes President Amber Silverhorn Wolfe to talk about the possibility of a history center for the tribe in Waco since their roots are tied to the city — the tribe was forcibly removed in August 1859.
The Mayborn Museum was filled with the harmonious sounds of native flutes for over an hour on Wednesday as a Waco local put on a concert in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
While many events are held throughout the month of November to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Multicultural Affairs department is responsible for sponsoring a variety of events to honor Native American Heritage Month.
Native American History Month is about much more than saying sorry for what those before did wrong. It’s about acknowledging and celebrating a group of people who loved and cared for the lands that we now live on.
“The events and celebrations are important because they expose the public to something rich and unique,” he said. “But for me, the real impact comes when we meet someone with a different life experience and heritage, listen to understand their way, and at the same time realize that our humanity binds us. Our differences just add to that wealth of understanding,” Crumpton said.
Robert Lewis, a Native American storyteller, author and artist, encouraged listeners to do what they love, treat others kindly and preserve heritage Wednesday at the Mayborn Museum.
The Mayborn Museum continues its celebration of Native American Heritage Month with a storytelling session hosting Robert Lewis, an award-winning author and artist of Cherokee, Apache and Navajo descent. The event will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
November marks the start of Native American Heritage Month — a period dedicated to the recognition and appreciation of Indigenous contributions to art, culture and history as the first inhabitants of the nation. Recently, Baylor has made efforts to foster relationships with surrounding tribes.