Events will celebrate Native American heritage

Native American heritage will be celebrated during a month of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  

The events include lectures and performances with the goal of spreading awareness of Native American culture and current issues.

Event highlights are below. Learn more about Grand Valley's annual Native American Heritage Celebration and see a full schedule at www.gvsu.edu/oma.

• Re-Imagining Indigenous People’s Day Panel and Performance: Monday, October 8, 6-8 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center

The limits and impact of the shift from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day will be discussed and will include a performance by Twindians.

• Performance: Sacramento Knoxx, Mexican and Native American Hip-Hop Artist: October 24, 6 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center

Detroit native Sacramento Knoxx infuses his hip-hop style with Mexican and indigenous music. His art and activism are focused on the experiences of Native Americans and Chicanx populations. Knoxx will discuss how creativity challenges us to confront social issues and our own identities.

• Native American Student Association Day of Service (off-campus service project): October 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., meet in room 2266, Kirkhof Center

The Native American Student Association is hosting a clean-up of burial mounds near Millennium Park (transportation provided). RSVP is required at gvsu.edu/oma.

• Teaching Thanksgiving Panel: November 12, 4-5 p.m., room 2250, Kirkhof Center

The panel will discuss the true nature of Thanksgiving and the holiday’s importance in today’s society.

• Professionals of Color Lecture Series: Trans Day of Remembrance with Qwo-Li Driskill: November 19, lecture from 4-5 p.m., workshop from 6-7 p.m., room 2204 Kirkhof Center

Hear from Qwo-Li Driskill, a Cherokee poet, scholar and activist. Driskill’s poetry focuses on inheritance and healing.

-- written by Madison Barnes, student writer