University to Host Native American Heritage Month Activities

Native American Heritage MonthFerris State University plans to highlight Native American culture with events to mark Native American Heritage Month.

“Native Americans have made a huge contribution that often gets overlooked,” said Michael Wade, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services. “This month provides the opportunity for people to gain insight and reflect on those contributions.”

OMSS and the Circle of Tribal Nations are presenting the free events with funds received by the Diversity and Inclusion Office Faculty/Staff Mini-grant. The events, which are open to the public, include:

  • “Diversity, Preservation and Retention of the Odawa and Ojibwa Culture,” with speaker Derek Bailey, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, Interdisciplinary Resource Center Room 120. Bailey is tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. He received a presidential appointment by President Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. A question-and-answer session and Dreamcatchers fundraiser for the Circle of Tribal Nations will take place following the presentation.

  • “My Culture Is Not a Costume: Perceptions and Perspectives,” a facilitated open discussion about Native American perceptions and perspectives in the media and the community, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 27, IRC Room 120.

  • Round Dance, performance by dancers and drummers, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, Rankin Student Center Dome Room.


Ferris students, faculty, staff and Big Rapids community members are encouraged to attend, Wade said. Events are designed to provide a better understanding of the diversity within Michigan’s Native American tribes, perceptions and perspectives relative to Native American culture, and the traditions of Native Americans.

“The aim of the event is to give people an opportunity to learn more about the Native American culture,” Wade said.

For more information, visit http://www.ferris.edu/omss/ or call (231) 591-2617.

Last updated: 11-08-2012