LEWISTON, Idaho – A Native American alumni panel from Lewis-Clark State College will discuss honoring the college’s 125 years of existence as part of the 31st annual Native American Awareness Week March 12-16.
The college is celebrating its 125th anniversary and has a number of events planned throughout the year. The panel discussion on honoring LCSC’s 125 years will be held on March 14 at 1:30-2:45 p.m. in the Williams Conference Center on campus.
This year’s Native American Awareness Week theme is “Connecting Communities” and several presentations, performances and a banquet are scheduled. The event culminates with the annual Friendship Banquet on March 15 at 6-9 p.m. in the Williams Conference Center and then the LCSC Pow Wow at 7 p.m.-midnight on March 16 at the LCSC Activity Center. There is also a mini pow wow for area fourth grade students on March 13 at 10-11:15 a.m.
The week is sponsored by the LCSC Native American Club and the Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services office at LCSC.
The full schedule for the weeklong celebration is listed below. For more information contact Robert Sobotta, director of Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services, at 208-792-2858 or bsobotta@lcsc.edu.
Tuesday, March 13
10-11:15 a.m. – Mimi Pow Wow for area fourth grade classes at the LCSC Activity Center.
Wednesday, March 14
Panel discussions at the Williams Conference Center
9-10:15 a.m. – “Tribal Leaders panel on Connecting Communities through Education.” Panelists: Mary Jane Miles, Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chair; Tachini Pete, Program Director of the Potlatch Fund.
10:30-11:45 a.m. – “Native American Boarding School Experience and the Effects of Three Generations of the Nez Perce Jesse Paul Family.” Panelists: Roberta (Robbie) Paul, retired director of Native American Health Sciences at Washington State University.
1:30-2:45 p.m. – “LCSC Native American Alumni Panel – Honoring LCSC’s 125 Years.” Steve Evans will facilitate.
3-4:15 p.m. – “Language Immersion & the Nkwusm Salish Language Revitalization Institute.” Panelist: Tachini Pete, author of the Salish Language Translation Dictionary.
Social at Clearwater River Casino
6-7:30 p.m. – LCSC Native American Alumni Chapter social.
Thursday, March 15
Panel discussions at the Williams Conference Center
9-10:15 a.m. – “Tribal Sovereignty.” Panelists: Cajetan Matheson, Coeur d’Alene Tribe Natural Resources; and Laura Laumatia, Coeur d'Alene Tribe Lake Management Department.
10:30-11:45 a.m. – “Family, Community and School Influences on American Indian and Alaska Native Student Achievement.” Speaker: Zoe Higheagle-Strong, WSU College of Education professor.
Noon-1:15 p.m. – “Culturally Responsive Education.” Lunch & Roundtable with Zoe Higheagle-Strong; LCSC faculty, staff and students.
1:30-2:45 p.m. – “Native American Veterans Panel – Serving Country, Community & Tribe.” Panelists: Wilfred Scott, Connie Evans and Don Warner.
Banquet at Williams Conference Center
6-9 p.m. – Friendship Banquet, featuring the presentation of the NAAW Lifetime Achievement Award, the Isaac “Ike” Wilson Memorial Scholarship, and other scholarships.
Friday, March 16
Pow Wow at LCSC Activity Center
7 p.m.-midnight LCSC Pow Wow.