Missouri State University will celebrate Native American Heritage month throughout November. This year’s theme is “Living in Many Worlds.”

“There are over 500 North American Indian communities in existence, including Native American students, faculty, and staff at Missouri State University, and people in the southwest Missouri community,” said Dr. William Meadows, associate professor of anthropology in the sociology anthropology and criminology department. “This month is a time to recognize and take part in some of the cultures and traditions of America’s original inhabitants.”

This year’s events include talks, films, artist demonstrations, traditional native games and the two-day Missouri State University Native American Heritage Month Powwow.

Nov. 4

The Missouri Archaeological Society will present a talk by Dr. Mike Glascock, Director of the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri-Columbia, entitled “Archaeometry in Archaeology” at 7 p.m. in the Center for Archaeological Research, 622 S. Kimbrough. Archaeometry involves the application scientific techniques and methodologies in the laboratory or in the field to investigate research questions of interest to archaeology.

Nov. 6

Beadwork demonstration by Victoria Fortner will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Plaster Student Union, Room 317.

Nov. 11 and 15

Panel discussion and film “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” at 7 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater. “Bury My Heat at Wounded Knee” tells the story of three Native Americans as they fight to keep their dignity and sacred land, the gold-laden Black Hills of the Dakotas, from the U.S. government. The film also focuses on Senator Henry Dawes and his fight for kinder Indian treatment.

Nov. 17

Dr. William Meadows and Jim Smith, Educations Program Developer at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base, will present a power point lecture entitled, “The Origins and Evolution of the Powwow” at 7 p.m. in Meyer Library, Room 101.

Nov. 18

The Yellowhair Family (Kiowa) from Oklahoma will demonstrate the Plains Indian hand game at 7 p.m. Plaster Student Union, lower level. The hand game is a traditional hiding and guessing game accompanied by drumming and singing.

Nov. 20

Powwow Preview, a demonstration of drumming, singing, and dancing by members of the Haskell Indian Nations College from Lawrence, Kansas, will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Missouri State University Bear Paw. In case of bad weather the event will be held in the Plaster Student Union, food court. The event will also be a chance to meet some of the Native American students and learn more about the powwow.

Nov. 21-22

The 6th annual Native American Heritage Month Powwow will take place in McDonald Arena. The two day festival features singing, dancing and arts and craft vendors in addition to contest dances on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. The doors open at 9 a.m. and dancing starts at 1 p.m. both days.

“The Native American story is a story of survival against great odds, and the variety of events provided throughout this month allows individuals to come out and learn more about some of the many traditions and cultures of Native peoples,” Meadows said.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the office of multicultural student services at 836-6618 or visit http://multicultural.missouristate.edu

Filed Under: Meadows · multicultural student services · Native American Heritage