By Steven Dlugosz


Buffalo State College is looking forward to some interesting new events in the near future for American Heritage month, including a lecture by former Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. in Assembly Hall, and a lecture by Oren Lyons titled “History of the Haudenosaunee” on April 23 from 6-8 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge.

What some of the past events covered

Full-time pottery artist Peter Jones made an old-style Iroquois pottery sculpture. He said that many people in the past have had misinterpretations about Native American sculptures.

“A lot of people think of Native American pottery as being only made in Southwest style. Old-style Iroquois pottery is quite different than Southwest style,” Jones said.

He went on to say that Iroquois pottery had a distinctly different appearance, being of Northern origin.

Jones, who has held pottery demonstrations at BSC for the past six years, also said the exercise will create awareness about the importance of Native culture.

“There are many misconceptions and stereotypes about our culture. This month’s event gives us exposure to show who were,” Jones said.
Guest speaker Mike Bastine gave a lecture on “Native American Culture and Spirituality.” Bastine, who has given lectures at BSC Native Heritage month for the past five years, said: “There’s a great deal of disrespect for Native American culture…A culture is a lead or guidance that shouldn’t state destroying other cultures. Native culture is here to respect life and along with life on earth. In its purest form, Native culture doesn’t try to dominate the rest of society’s cultures.”

Bastine also said that today’s industries should adapt some elements of Native culture into everyday life.

“It seems to us that people should try to conserve and not be wasteful. We’d like to see industries respect clean water and good food, which would make for a healthier group of people. But today, the focus is on profit. This is more and more evident today with companies like Enron and Adelphia,” Bastine said.

However, Bastine said that the purpose of his speech was to inspire hope, not despair, in the community.

“We just think improvements need to be made by pointing out flaws. We’re advocating people to so do some independent thinking and find their own direction, not to just go along with what the newest trends and thoughts are,” Bastine said.

He said he hopes his speech made a big impact on the audience.

“All I can hope for is that something I said opened peoples’ hearts and minds. It was a joint effort,” Bastine said.

Additional Links:
montoul@buffalostate.edu (for more information on the events)
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