[184] Authentic Native American Celebration At MTSU Tuesday

FOR RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2011
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

AUTHENTIC NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION AT MTSU TUESDAY Native Americans Share Food, Culture, Perspectives during Thanksgiving Week

MURFREESBORO—MTSU’s Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Center will co-sponsor “Native American Cultural Day” from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Cantrell Hall in MTSU’s Tom H. Jackson Building.

Traditional Native American dancing, music and food will be parts of the multitribal experience. In addition, there will be a panel discussion of Native American perspectives on various issues, including education, environment and spirituality, ethics of governance, corporate ethics and business policy, intertribal descendants and challenges facing Native American college students.

The program will include Lakota poet Ron Colombe, Shawnee flutist Grady Shadowhawk, Cherokee storyteller Robert RedHawk and contemporary musician and NAMMY nominee Timo Standing Buffalo.

“This is a great opportunity for sharing views and helping the community to know who we are and what we’re about and a wonderful opportunity to taste authentic Native American foods,” says Melissa Shelby, an event coordinator.

Shelby, an MTSU master’s degree candidate majoring in professional science, has a personal lineage that includes Cherokee and Choctaw ancestors.

In addition to IDAC, other sponsors and supporters include the MTSU offices of International Affairs and University Studies and the MTSU departments of Recording Industry, Political Science, English and History.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Vincent Windrow, director of the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, at 615-898-2238 or vwindrow@mtsu.edu.

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