One need not be Native American to appreciate their culture in Western New York.

It can be witnessed all around, from the Scajaqueda Expressway to Tonawanda Street. Buffalo State College students enjoy one of the most culturally diverse campuses in the entire SUNY system.

The 14 th Annual Native American Heritage Celebration will consist of over 20 events in April. These lectures and workshops cover a wide variety of aspects of Native American culture from Iroquois genealogy and excavations of ancient villages, to current issues like treaties and life on the reservation.

President of the Native American Student Services, Ryan King said, “It was difficult to establish a program that embodied everything that we were trying to cover, it's still a work in progress.”

www.buffalostate.edu/offices/
minstsvc/nass.html

Graduate Assistant for Minority Student Services, Patricia Jones said, “The event is for diversity awareness, to talk and interact with another culture that may be so different, or not so very different from your own.”

There will be Iroquois storytelling and art history, including a look into a Seneca-Iroquois museum. Mohawk midwife, Katsi Cook will discuss medicine, while a dreamcatcher workshop will address spiritual aspects of Native American culture.

According to Professor Charles Bachman of Native American Literature, “The culminating event is the big pot luck and social that features traditional dancers.”

Professor Lori Quigley of the department of elementary education and reading served as a faculty adviser to help the students prepare for the activities and coordinate a quality program.

“It is a great way for students to celebrate who they are as Native Americans, not just as people of the past, but alive and vibrant today,” said Quigley.

The City of Buffalo is surrounded by six major Native American territories: Cattarugus, Allegany, Mohawk, Tonawanda and Tuscarora.

“If you have questions or are curious about Native American culture you should come to the program. Don't look to a book to learn what we could teach you first hand,” said King.

These events are free to the public and are funded through:

• The arts and humanities department
  www.buffalostate.edu/
  artsandhumainities
• The equity and diversity department
  www.buffalostate.edu/
  offices/eequity
• The Indigenous Women Initiative
• The Native American Western Consortium
  www.fredonia.edu/na/
  finaiddirectory.asp

Email: pizans94@buffalostate.edu