Members of the Rogers State University Native American Student Association (NASA) will be hosting a pair of free events to celebrate Native American culture and heritage.
NASA’s Remember the Removal Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the Baird Hall Performance Studio, and Native Games Demonstrations are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, on the lawn of the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center.
According to NASA faculty advisor Rebekah Warren, instructor of English and humanities, members of the student organization decided to host two separate events – in lieu of a single event, such as a pow wow – to allow more opportunities for students, staff and members of the community to learn about Native American traditions.
“NASA is a hub for the university’s Native American students – a center for them to learn about the culture and history of their ancestors and to meet with other students to celebrate their heritage,” said Warren, herself an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee tribe. “These events were initially going to be a cultural day, similar to a pow wow, but those are typically held on weekends, and it can be more of a challenge for weekend events, as people go home for the weekend or may have other plans.
“As such, it was decided to break these into two separate weekday events, to encourage higher attendance,” she said.
Remember the Removal Dinner will be an event at which two Remember the Removal riders – NASA member Samantha Cavin and Amaiya Bearpaw – will be sharing their experiences on the Remember the Removal ride.
The Remember the Removal ride recreates the original Trail of Tears route as a 950-mile bike ride, connecting Cherokee riders to their ancestors who made the same journey on foot. The entire ride takes three weeks total, and stretches from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to New Echota, Georgia.
Additionally, Cherokee Trail of Tears Association Executive Director Troy Wayne Poteet will be guest speaker, sharing the history of the Association and its mission to identify, protect and preserve the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail resources and promoting awareness of the Trail’s legacy.
Following the presentations, an Indian Taco dinner will be served.
NASA members will host Native Games Demonstrations Tuesday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center. The event will feature demonstrations of traditional Native American games, including a cornstalk shoot, hatchet throwing, marbles and stickball.
“This event will be held throughout the day, and it’s come and go, so students can stop by and see demonstrations of these Native games at their convenience — between classes, at lunch, and so forth,” Warren said. “For me personally, this is perfect – for students to see Native American games being played on campus, like they might see soccer or volleyball – become curious and want to know more about them, maybe even participate themselves.”
Native American Student Association serves to promote better understanding of Native American students and people of the university, to use its resources and talents to promote good will and fellowship, to hold extra-curricular activities on and off campus, and to encourage students to study his or her native background.
The Remember the Removal Dinner is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. RSVPs are requested for the Indian Taco Dinner.
To RSVP, email Warren at [email protected].
Rogers State University currently offers an Associate of Arts in Native American studies, a degree option which enhances a student’s understanding of Native American culture, history, spirituality, language, art and contemporary tribal issues. For more information about this or other degree options, visit www.rsu.edu/academics.