Native American Heritage Month 2024 recognized on Western's campus through variety of events
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—From an Indigenous music celebration to a discussion on environmental justice and the tribal community, a diverse array of events is planned at Western Michigan University throughout Native American Heritage Month.
Observed nationally in November, Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Native peoples; their strengths, resilience and achievements; and their contributions to America's past, present and future.
"This month not only serves as an acknowledgment but a chance to reeducate and improve people's knowledge on what has really happened," says Skyler Wolverton, B.S.'24, a graduate student and leader in Western's Native American Student Organization (NASO). "It is about empowerment and change."
On Thursday, Nov. 7, the community is invited to a presentation by visiting scholar Dr. Evan Larson, professor and chair of environmental sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, entitled "Reciprocity through the Flames." He will talk about emerging research that pairs tree-ring-based fire history with Indigenous knowledge related to the evolution of Great Lakes forests as well as share stories from his own family heritage. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium.
On Friday, Nov. 8, Larson will join tribal leaders and citizens as well as Western faculty and stakeholders for the first environmental and ecological gathering of its kind at the University. The event will run from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Dunbar Hall and include a luncheon as well as a discussion moderated by Shabanaa Bush, NASO president, and Dr. Dee Sherwood, NASO advisor and chair of Western's Native American Affairs Council. Attendees should RSVP by contacting Lynne Heasley.
"I am hoping that by having this discussion with the community, NASO can continue to break stereotypical ideas on how tribal entities operate to conserve our land and protect our natural resources," Bush says, adding she hopes students will be inspired by tribal entities sharing experiences of being Indigenous environmentalists.
Sherwood says building relationships based on trust, respect and reciprocity are vitally important. "Ongoing consultation with Native nations in our region will help provide direction to the University's efforts toward environmental justice, sustainability and relational approaches to land, water, agriculture and work with ecological systems."
Sherwood adds that consultations with tribes will help WMU build capacity as a University partner to participate in efforts led by Indigenous scholars at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and universities and tribes in the Midwest region through the NSF grant "Centers for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science." The purpose of the grant is twofold: to develop local, place-based research-action projects aligned on the priorities of Indigenous communities and to build and mainstream a workforce skilled in ‘two-eye seeing,’ ethically combining Indigenous values and knowledge systems with Western science to address complex global issues, such as climate change and food insecurity.”
NASO is also collaborating with Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine on a discussion Saturday, Nov. 9, with medical students about the importance of sage, sweetgrass, cedar and tobacco—the four sacred medicines in Native American teachings—as important medicines when interacting with Native patients as part of the healing process.
Indigenous hip-hop artist Frank Waln, who is a faculty member and artist-in-residence this academic year in Western's Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, will host an interactive musical presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in Dalton Center as part of the Bullock Series. Tickets are available for purchase online. A NASO and tribal community reception will precede the event at 6 p.m.
"Having Frank at WMU has been such a great experience! He has been a very involved faculty member and mentor," says Bush.
"He has been a great asset and advocate for our students. This performance will be nothing short of amazing, and I look forward to experiencing it and for people to see how influential he is," adds Wolverton. "He has a deep level of knowledge and connects with people in a unique way."
Students and Western community members are also invited to attend a traditional hand-drum-making workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Office for Sustainability. The event will be led by Fred Jacko, Anishinaabe Culture Keeper, as well as NASO members.
For more information on Native American Heritage Month events or opportunities to experience Native culture and education throughout the year, follow NASO on Instagram and Facebook.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.