By Steven Dlugosz

Buffalo State College wants to recognize Native American culture, so they have designated April as the 13th annual Native American Heritage Celebration month. This month there will be will a series of lectures and demonstrations by Native Americans, including a speech by former player and Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.

President of the Native American Student Organization Ryan King says April’s events will be informative to all BSC audiences.

“Buffalo State is such a diverse campus that it gives us a chance to give insight into our background, culture and history, which tend to be overlooked a lot of times,” King said.

Origin

The origin of Native American Heritage Month came in 1990, when Native American Student Services began.

King said the idea first started as a week, but then developed into an entire month. There are currently many more speakers and events this year than compared to when the celebration month first began, which featured only one or two events a week.

Events of this month

Most of the programs and events are of traditional and cultural programming, with some contemporary aspects to culture being discussed. Snacks and refreshments will be served at every event, including a Native American traditional “Social and Potluck” occurring on April 26 in the Social Hall from 6-10 p.m.

Support groups involved with the month’s events

King says Minority Student Services, Student Life, USG, and other USG- funded organizations will be involved with the month’s events.

Coordinator of Native American Student Services Lonnie Montour, who has been at BSC since October, says the Buffalo State community has reacted well so far to the celebration month’s preparation.

“I think there is a lot of support from the departments that are enthusiastic about joining us. We’ve had some of the guest speakers’ costs covered completely by different departments, so I think that shows a lot of support as well,” Montour said.

Montour said the event was a great chance to learn and also network with traditional elders, while also being able to ask questions and get to know the Indian culture.

Despite the latest actions BSC has made in recognizing Native American culture, King says the college still has a lot of improvements to make.

“It’s starting small, but hopefully soon there will be a lot more respect for us. There still isn’t much recognition for us now, we don’t even have a Native studies course on campus. By the time I leave, I hope Buffalo State can show Native students that there is interest and support at the college,” King said.

Featured guest speaker opinion

Barry White, who is the group assistant for CDHS (Center for Development of Human Services) at BSC, will be giving a panel discussion with Lori Quigly on April 22 from 6-8 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union.

White said this month’s events will be key in reaching all people, not just Native Americans.

“We want to promote people, including education majors that plan on teaching in local schools, to have a good handle on the Indian perspective of democracy, contributions, and contemporary issues like art and storytelling,” White said.

White, who also teaches Introduction to Native American history at the University of Buffalo noted that there have been a number of BSC faculty that advocate their classes to attend Native American presentations, as well as a number of hands-on activities.

“The Native Heritage month has become more of a tradition here now. It’s a big endeavor done on minimal resources, which always been the case. Despite this, it’s the quality, not the quantity, of the exhibits that is important,” White said.

Future of Native American influence at BSC

As for the future of BSC appreciation for Native American culture, White said that work needs to be done.

“We need someone in the social studies education area, which is a part of the standards and communications of working with kids in school and teachers in training. There’s a lot of re-learning to do, but I do think everybody is learning to be more integrated and diverse. That’s what a college campus is for, to have a dialogue and learn from the interchange,” White said.

The Native American Heritage Celebration month promises to be a good learning experience for people of all backgrounds. Lonnie Montour says: “I think it’s a really positive event for people who want to know about Native American culture, because there’s a lot that anybody can learn.”

Additional Links:

montoul@buffalostate.edu

http://www.buffalostate.edu/calendar/
index.asp?sub=event&date=4/8/
2003&event=1951

http://www.buffalostate.edu/
calendar/index.asp?sub=event&event=1949