INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University in Wayne will recognize Native American Heritage Month with a variety of campus events during its inaugural Indigenous and Native American Cultural Celebration Week from November 9 to 11.
The week of events is designed to celebrate the rich traditions, culture, and history of Native American people. “We have developed programming to recognize and honor the experiences of Indigenous and Native American students, as well as elevate visibility and promote awareness of issues surrounding these communities,” says Yolany Gonell, director of the University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which is hosting the event in partnership with the William Paterson University Galleries and the Office of Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership.
The week will open with a keynote presentation by Adam Waterbear DePaul, storykeeper and tribal councilmember of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, November 9 at 12:30 p.m. in the University Commons Multipurpose Room. During his presentation, “The Past and Present of the Lenape,” DePaul will discuss the history of the Lenape people, the false narrative of erasure regarding the Lenape in their indigenous homelands, and contemporary initiatives of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania to combat that narrative and revitalize their culture. Adam will also discuss ways in which students can get involved with the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania in order to raise awareness of the Lenape people and foster good stewardship of the environment.
In addition to his other roles, DePaul is coordinator of the Rising Nation River Journey. He co-curates the Lenape Cultural Center in Easton, Pennsylvania and the exhibit Existing Artistry, Enduring Presence: The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania at Temple University. DePaul is a PhD candidate and instructor at Temple University with a primary research area in cultural and mythological studies, and is the co-founder and president of NAISAT (Native American and Indigenous Studies at Temple).
The event will also be accessible via Zoom at https://wpunj.zoom.us/j/93036711698.
Other events include:
Wednesday, November 10
“Sacred Lands: Preservation through Photography” 11 a.m., University Commons 211 and via ZoomFeaturing Jonathan Hawk, M Djaouhar Fine Arts & Photography LLCJoin Zoom Meeting: https://wpunj.zoom.us/j/92341766042
Hawk, the retired executive director of enrollment management and technology at William Paterson, now manages a business focused on Indigenous and Native peoples in art, video, and photography and promoting positive images of indigenous peoples.
“Missing and Murdered Indigenous and Native American Women”1 – 2 p.m., via Zoom Featuring Heather Torres, Program Director for the Tribal Law and Policy InstituteJoin Zoom Meeting: https://wpunj.zoom.us/j/96201368288
The Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI) is a completely Native American-operated non-profit corporation organized to design and deliver education, research, training, and technical assistance programs which promote the enhancement of justice in Indian country and the health, well-being, and culture of Native peoples. Torres is a graduate of UCLA School of Law 's Critical Race Studies program, where she focused her courses and research on federal Indian law and the racialization of American Indian identity.
Thursday, November 11
“500+ Years of Resistance: Why Representation Matters”Workshop, 2 – 3:30 p.m. University Commons Multipurpose RoomFeaturing Indigenous Kinship Collective
Indigenous Kinship Collective is a New York City-based direct action group of Native femme, non-binary, and womxn, creating an Indigenous community in the city. They have staged direct actions and held teach-ins to bring awareness to legacies of violence and oppression, while consistently redistributing funds rooted in mutual aid practice to BIPOC folks in need.
“Artist talk and Performance” 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. University Commons Multipurpose RoomFeaturing Indigenous Kinship Collective
The artist panel will include a live musical performance by Rosa Bordallo (Chamorro) and a conversation between artists Cleopatra Doley (Taíno), Korina Emmerich (Puyallup), and Stina Hamlin (Cherokee/Choctaw descent) about their digital and multimedia work. The event will close with a hand drum song.
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