Clock tower of reid centennial hall

News Release

Native American Awareness Week is March 13-16

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.