UCO to celebrate Native American heritage
EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a series of events on campus.
The month of events kicks off with keynote speaker Toni Tsatoke-Mule at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Nigh University Center, Ballroom A. Tsatoke-Mule, a Kiowa language instructor at the University of Oklahoma, will speak about the diversity of Native culture, focusing on this year’s Native American Heritage Month theme, “Expressions of Indigenous Culture.”
Other Native American Heritage Month events will include:
• Miss Native American UCO, 6 p.m. Nov. 4, Constitution Hall, Nigh University Center.
• Native Art Lesson, 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 6, Clara Luper Room, Nigh University Center 312. Learn the basics of painting from artist and Northern Oklahoma College Native American Student Success Specialist Ted Moore.
• Diabetes Awareness and Cooking Class, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Will Rogers Room, Nigh University Center 421. Join the Native American Student Association for a discussion on the diabetes epidemic within the Native American community and learn cheap and easy ways to eat healthier through simple and affordable recipes.
• Art Exhibition, 2 p.m. Nov. 14, Chambers Library First Floor. Jonathan Byrn will speak at the exhibition on “Indigenous Visual Sovereignty.”
• National Rock Your Mocs Day, Nov.
15. During this national event, participants wear moccasins to bring awareness about the Native American community.
• Stomp Dance, 5:30-11 p.m. Nov.
17. This showcase will aim to educate the community about this tribal tradition.
• The True Meaning of Thanksgiving, 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 19, UCO International House, 930 E Second St. This discussion will center around what Thanksgiving means to the Native American community and the importance of recognizing different facets of history.
• Lessons in Leadership with Cornell Pewewardy, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 20, Constitution Hall, Nigh University Center. Pewewardy is professor emeritus in Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University.
• Native Fit Class, 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 27, UCO International House. Join the Native American Student Association for a circuit training lesson, provided by trainers from the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. The Native Fit Class focuses on teaching the basics of how to maintain fitness.
• Native American Heritage Month Closing Event, noon Nov. 30, Education, Room 115. Ryan RedCorn will speak about the importance of embracing different Native cultures.
All events are free and most are open to the public. For a complete schedule or more information about Native American Heritage Month at UCO, go to www.uco. edu/nahm.