4/28/2012
 

UW-Stevens Point to host Native American Awareness Week

A variety of events dedicated to Native American education, culture and contemporary issues will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to celebrate Native American Awareness Week, April 30 to May 5.

Sponsored by the American Indians Reaching for Opportunities (AIRO) student organization and the Native American Center, all events, except Saturday’s Pow-Wow, are free and open to the public. 

  • Monday, April 30, 6 p.m., Theater, Dreyfus University Center— Arnold Chevalier of the TERRA Institute will present a 35-minute video, “Legend Lake: A Talking Circle,” focusing on the controversy of the Legend Lake development and includes a dialogue between Menominee and non-Menominee residents of the area about their relationship. A discussion will follow.

  • Tuesday, May 1, 6 p.m., Encore, Dreyfus University Center— Larry Meyer of the College of Menominee Nation Archaeology Center will conduct a one-hour archaeological presentation of Menominee archaeology.

  • Wednesday, May 2, 6 p.m., Encore, Dreyfus University Center—John Teller, Jr. will conduct a Menominee hand drum and flute presentation.

  • Thursday May 3, Noon, Room 374, Dreyfus University Center— Richie Plass will conduct a brown bag lecture presentation, “Benched: the Repression of Menominee Language in the 21st Century.” Plass served as an advocate for the family of Miranda Washinawatok, a seventh grade student at the Sacred Heart School in Shawano who was punished for speaking three words of the Menominee language. The incident received national attention and sparked outrage amongst the Menominee and other tribes across the United States.

  • Friday, May 4, Noon, Room 374, Dreyfus University Center—A documentary about the Chippewa treaty rights controversy, “Lighting the 7th Fire” begins with an introduction to history, treaties, and sovereignty; the illegal repression of tribal rights; various court decisions that re-affirmed tribal rights in the 70s and 80s; and the subsequent racism that emerged in northern Wisconsin. This year marks 20 years since its original production.

  • Saturday, May 5, 1 p.m., Berg Gymnasium—The 39th annual AIRO Spring Pow-Wow. Dozens of singers and hundreds of dancers from area tribes are expected. A meal for participants and spectators will be served at 5 p.m. in the DeBot Residence Center. Admission is $4 for general public, or $3 for UW-Stevens Point students with ID.

For more information call 715-346-3576.