Grand Valley to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Grand Valley will begin a series of events in observation of Native American Heritage Month beginning September 26.  

Coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Native American Student Association, the events will give students, faculty, and staff members an opportunity to learn about Native American culture while serving the community. 

“Grand Valley recognizes and celebrates Native American Heritage Month to honor and respect our Native American students, faculty, staff and community,” said Kristie Scanlon, assistant director at the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “The goal this year is to grow and stretch in our learning, as well as the programming that is available to the Grand Valley community.”

All the events are free and open to the public. 

Native American Student Association (NASA) Day of Service: Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Volunteers will contribute to clean up efforts of the Norton Mounds in Grand Rapids, one of the last surviving Hopewellian burial mound groups. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Kristie Scanlon at [email protected] to reserve a spot. 

Re-Thinking Columbus: Monday, October 12, 5:30 -7:30 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center

A discussion panel will examine the impact of colonization on Native American culture as well as the history of Columbus Day and current movements that challenge the holiday. Students are encouraged to interact with the panel through discussion and questions. The program will also feature a drum circle and cultural teachings.

Professional of Color Lecture Series Presents A Conversation with Dr. Adrienne Keene (tentative): Tuesday, November 17, 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center  

Adrienne Keene, a Native American scholar, writer, blogger and activist, will discuss the way indigenous people are represented in popular culture. Keene asks celebrities, corporations and designers to consider the way they incorporate “Native” elements into their work. She is also interested in how Natives are using social and new media to challenge misrepresentations of their culture. 

Gi-gikino’amaage-min: Defend Our History, Unlock Your Spirit Native American Urban History Project Exhibit: November 3-19, Mary Idema Pew Library, Exhibition Space

The Kutsche Office of Local History, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Native American Advisory Board, and Special Collections and Archives are creating the first archival collection focusing on the urban Native American experience in West Michigan. Students, faculty and staff will be able to get involved and gain increased awareness about the importance of this archived information. 

Grand Valley’s celebration of Native American culture is not limited to the officially designated month of November. Events are planned throughout the fall semester. For a complete listing of events, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma.