A weaving of Native American cultures and traditions is cause for celebration in November.
"Woven by Traditions" is the theme of Native American Heritage Month sponsored by the Native American Programs Task Force on campus.
"It represents so much as far as each of us coming from different cultures and tribal backgrounds," said Shannon Martin, Native American coordinator for Multi-ethnic Student Affairs. "We are all different yet we are all the same and when we get together it's like a beautiful weaving."
MESA and the Native American Student Association will kick off the celebration with a social Mini Pow Wow on Nov. 3, which will consist of traditional drum groups and dancing. A feast for participants will follow at Trotter House.
The month features the Traditions Exhibit of artwork by Native American University students, faculty, staff and alumni. A reception "Honoring the Artists" will be held in the Art Lounge of the Michigan Union on Nov. 22.
Also planned for the celebration is a range of performances, including three presentations of song, dance and storytelling by the Rabbit River Singers and Dancers on Friday.
For students' entertainment next week, NASA plans to present a film "Pow Wow Highway," and Native American comedian Charlie Hill is scheduled to perform at Trotter House.
Continuing a storytelling tradition, the Dejope storytelling theater group from Wisconsin will perform plays to traditional stories from Native nations in East Quad on Nov. 9. Also, a storytelling by a Native American faculty member is planned Nov. 17 and Leslie Marmon Silko, author of literary works such as "Ceremony" and "Storyteller," is scheduled to read in Rackham Auditorium on Nov. 21.
"We needed to show our culture rather than talk about it," said Ryan LaLonde, Native American programs assistant at the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.
The celebration will also host a number of speakers including Mary Al Balber, an assistant attorney general who will speak Monday on the treatment of Native American issues in the judicial system.
Also next week, Lucy Harrison, executive director of American Indian Health and Family Services of Southeastern Michigan, will talk Wednesday about better health through respecting Native traditions.
The following week, speakers will include Karen Kay, executive director of Michigan Indian Employment and Training Services and Deborah Tucker, a leading researcher in black and Native American interactions.
The final week, Ada Deer, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Interior-Indian Affairs will speak on strengthening community through education and Paul Johnson, board president for the Lansing Indian Center, will talk about personal growth.
"One role (of the speakers) is to let people know that Native Americans are still here and they are doing things out in the world," said NASA co-chair Pam Bowser.
The celebration will end Nov. 23 with the Annual Fall Feast, which historically signified the end of the hunting and harvesting season. Bowser said the potluck dinner is a chance for all participants in the celebration to get together one last time before winter.