IU Campus/Bloomington Native American Heritage Month Events

Campus—November 2, 2009, with the kick-off of Native American Heritage Month IU Native American and American Indian student groups, the First Nations Education and Cultural Center, and the Bloomington Native American Cultural Center have established a variety of events to promote awareness, provide cultural activities, and to assist in education.

The kick-off begins today with an Opening reception at City Hall. “Today is a proud day for Bloomington” says Joseph Stahlman, Director of the First Nations Education and Cultural Center. “I am proud to know we—American Indian and Alaska Natives—have the support of both the university and the Bloomington community. Today, demonstrates that support.”

Following the Opening reception at City Hall in Bloomington, there will be many events each week including movies, radio shows, cultural events and demonstrations, and a lecture series on Indian Affairs.

Native American Heritage month became a national event in 1990. Prior to the month long recognition, some states honored Native Americans themselves, most notably New York declaring the first “American Indian Day” in 1916. The 1990 legislation allowed for President George BushGeorge Bush to declare the first month long celebration on August 3, 1990; thanks to bipartisan congressional action. Most recently, in 1996 President Bill ClintonBill Clinton detailed the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in a Presidential declaration.

“The City of Bloomington and IU-Administration supporting “Native American Heritage Month” shows a strong commitment to diversity and the desire to create an inclusive community” explained Jason Oberle, Chairman of the Native American Graduate Student Association. “This is essential to building a strong and diverse community and I am excited about this opportunity to share” he continued.

The First Nations Education and Cultural Center and the Native American Graduate Student Association are both located on the IU campus inside Weatherly Hall at 400 N. Sunset. People interested in either organization or the schedule of events may contact via email at fnecc@indiana.edu or nagsa@indiana.edu, respectively or call 812-855-4814.