LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College’s 27th annual Native American Awareness Week takes place March 17–21. The theme is ‘Titwáatisix Núunim Titwáatit’ - Telling Our Story, and includes activities throughout the week. All events are free and open to the public.
Activities begin Monday night at the Silverthorne Theater with the Mentor Artists Playwrights Project and ends with the annual LCSC Pow Wow at the Activity Center. All area 4th grade classes are invited to Tuesday’s Mini Pow Wow. Wednesday and Thursday feature a variety of speakers addressing subjects including tribal histories and stories, health issues, and Indian education. At Thursday evening’s Friendship Banquet, LCSC Native American and Minority Student Services recognizes all the Native American students who received scholarships for the year and Native American students select an elder for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The complete schedule is listed below.
Monday, March 17
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Silverthorne Theater: Mentor Artists Playwrights Project, featuring original works by Lapwai High School students. (Plays read by professional actors)
Tuesday, March 18
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Activity Center: Mini Pow Wow. All area 4th grade classes are invited
Wednesday, March 19
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. Williams Conference Center (WCC): Tim'neepe Heart of the Monster, featuring a documentary by Patricia Keith, Professor Emeritus of English at LCSC and discussion with director Harold Crook, producer/writer/co-director Angel Sobotta, and Nez Perce Tribal Elders Bessie Scott & Florene Davis
10:30 - 11:45 a.m. WCC: Meet the authors of Lewis & Clark Among the Nez Perce, a discussion with Steve Evans and Alan Pinkham
12:00 - 1:15 p.m. WCC: “Of Native Women: Tradition, Tragedy, Justice,” a presentation by Dr. Janis Johnson, Professor of English & American Indian Studies, University of Idaho – in collaboration with LCSC Women’s History Month
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. WCC: “Building Community Through Wellness,” with representatives of the Nez Perce Tribe
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. WCC: The Lost Brother – Lamprey Eels, a documentary presented by Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries and the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (Reception at 5:30 p.m.)
Thursday, March 20
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. WCC: Native American student panel discussion on the mascot issue
10:30 - 11:45 a.m. WCC: “Nez Perce History – a Focus on Place Names and Stories” – featuring Alan Pinkham , Nez Perce Elder and Josiah Pinkham, Cultural Resources Ethnographer for the Nez Perce Tribe
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. WCC: Meet the author of How to Say I Love You in Indian – discussion with Gyasi Ross
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Activity Center Conference Room 1: Native American Alumni Chapter meeting & social
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. WCC: Friendship Banquet – NAAW Lifetime Achievement Award, the Isaac “Ike” Wilson Memorial Scholarship, and other scholarships will be presented
Friday, March 21
7:00 p.m. – Midnight Activity Center: LCSC Pow Wow
LCSC’s Native American Awareness Week is made possible thanks to the generosity of Lewis-Clark State College, the Idaho Humanities Council, the Associated Students of LCSC, the President’s Diversity Commission, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Nez Perce Tribe, Pi’amkinwaas, and the Clearwater River Casino. The week’s activities are presented by the LCSC Native American Club.
For more information please contact Bob Sobotta at 792.2812 or 792.2858 or [email protected] or visit Native American Awareness Week.