From Hollywood to the costume shop at the local party goods store, there has always been a fascination in America with all things Native American.
Unfortunately, the depiction of Natives in movies or the fringe and feathered costumes offered to consumers at Halloween only presents Native Americans as historical figures to be romanticized.
Yet, the truth is, in spite of the repeated attempts of genocide against the more than 600 tribes present in North America at the time of "discovery," Native Americans are still here.
"We Are Still Here" is the theme that permeates the presentations and social media campaign that UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will host throughout November, Native American Heritage Month.
From stories of survival from people who were forced to attend residential boarding schools, where the goal was to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," to stories of cultural resiliency and one tribe’s fight against COVID-19, the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine campus is invited to attend any of the virtual presentations being offered via Zoom.
At the beginning of each of the first three weeks in November, a different social media campaign will highlight the art and science of local Native Americans, as well as tie into the national "Rock Your Mocs" campaign which kicks off Nov. 15.
Those who want to contribute to any part of the social media campaign with their own art, story or by rocking their moccasins is encouraged to do by using the hashtag: #NATIVEHERITAGEMONTH.
Presentations for the month include:
- Wednesday, Nov. 3 – Noon-1 p.m. — Grace Johnson, enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, will present "American Indians in the U.S. and Cultural Resiliency" on Zoom.
- Nov. 10 – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Mona Zuffante, enrolled member of the Seneca Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma, with Winnebago Public Health Department will discuss "COVID-19 Response – Doing it Our Way" on Zoom.
- Nov. 17 – noon-1 p.m. – A documentary, "Indian School: A Survivor’s Story," by twin sisters Kay McGowan, PhD, and Fay Givens looking at the history of boarding schools in the United States, will be shown on Zoom.
Look for the following on UNMC’s social media platforms:
- Monday, Nov. 1 – The art and science of contemporary local Native artists including: Sicangu Lakota artist, Steve Tamayo; Metis poet Michele Desmarais; Umo'n-Ho'n Nation indigenous seed keeper and plant propagator Mi’oux Stabler and Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota actress Carina DuMarce.
- Nov. 8 – Contemporary warrior and Lakota author, Joseph Marshall III, whose stories give an authentic perspective of the traditional culture of the Lakota Sioux, will kick off this week of honoring Native warriors.
- Nov. 15 – Moccasins of all shapes and sizes are featured during national "Rock Your Mocs" week.