You’re invited to celebrate Native American Heritage Month at RIT | October 2018
RIT students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) kick-off on November 1st in the SAU Fireside Lounge, from 11am to 1pm. The Future Stewards Program (FSP) partnered with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Native American Student Association (NASA) to provide modern music, food, engaging activities and offer an opportunity to create meaningful interactions.
As part of NTID’s Native American Deaf Awareness Week, on November 8, the RIT/NTID Student Life Team will host dancer Dawnena Michelle Muth (Pawnee/Flandreau Santee), specializing is hoop dance, which represents the struggles of life and how you might address them. Muth was a former Miss Indian Colorado and competitively danced jingle at pow wows. She’s also performed at many museums, Summit 8 World Leaders in 1996, the US Embassy to Turkey in 2010, during Larry King Live, among many more.
On November 11, there is a full day of activities, in commemoration of the Treaty of Canandaigua in 1794, where attendees begin with a peaceful walk from the Canandaigua primary school to the courthouse. The day’s activities culminate with an Iroquois social dance. This particular treaty was facilitated by Quaker representatives, signed by members of the Six Nations (Haudenosaunee) and U.S. Coronel Timothy Pickery, an official agent of President George Washington. Annually, constituents from all three entities gather to recognize and educate others on the peace, commitment and friendship that prevails between the United States and the Six Nations Confederacy.
This year’s NAHM keynote speaker at RIT is worldwide performer Frank Waln, a Native American Lakota Hip Hop artist, producer, and community activist. Co-performer, Tanaya Winder is a poet, writer and educator raised on the Southern Ute reservation in Ignacio, Co. The keynote address and performances will be held at the Ingle Auditorium on November 19 from 4pm to 6pm.
“He is incredible! Through his music, Waln speaks the truth on what it’s like to grow-up on the reservation and the struggles of our communities. Whether you are a first-generation student, you grew up without a father, or you grew up being Native, Waln’s music can connect with you,” said Nicole Scott, Director of the RIT Future Stewards Program. “Winder’s talent with her poetry is based on different types of love and her passion is heartwarming. We are very excited they’re coming to RIT and inspire us with their stories, experience our cultures and witness our talents.”
The Native American Student organizations at RIT, NASA and AISES invite the campus community to conclude NAHM with a traditional experience of sharing “Stories Over A Fire” on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 6p.m. to 7p.m. at the Global Village firepit.