On August 3, 1990, George W. Bush declared that November would be Native American Heritage Month because the month concludes the traditional harvest season and is a time for giving thanks.
Over time, the importance of Native culture has been emphasized in the classroom and by the public. Part of that greater understanding is the recognition that much of the heritage and legacy of the natives has been wiped out over time.
“I think it is important to celebrate Native American heritage because along with their homes being stolen, they also lost most of their culture and history. Many of them were killed and a lot of surviving ones were forced to assimilate into a new culture that was created in place of their own. Native Americans deserve the chance to reclaim the culture that was stolen from them and learn more about themselves and their cultural identity,” senior music therapy major Zakiyah Grayson said.
Following such an emphasis, it only makes sense that schools would make greater amounts of effort to recognize the month as well. This includes Elizabethtown College, which, for the first time this year, has created a set of programs for the month.
While standalone events have been done in years prior, Kesha Morant Williams, Senior Advisor for Equity, Diversity and Belonging here at the College explained that, “This is the first year Etown has created intentional programming specific to Native American Heritage Month. When I started here at Etown a group of colleagues shared their desire for our college to do more to honor the original inhabitants of this land. Darcey [Mills] took the lead in making this a reality for this year.”
Some of the events that have occurred over this past month include the viewing of the film “Home from School, the Children of Carlisle” facilitated by the Center for Global Understanding and Peacebuilding (CGUP). Another is a weekly lunch-and-learn book club titled, “As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance” that began on Nov. 7 but is continuing through Nov. 14 and 21. Those interested should RSVP through Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Darcey Mills.
Mills, who organized the events for this month, emphasized that “The Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging (DEB) is taking proactive measures to ensure that this commemorative month is treated with the utmost respect and awareness. We are preparing a variety of activities and events to highlight Indigenous achievements and culture by collaborating with various campus offices and student groups.”
Another effort in the works is a land acknowledgement. It is encouraged that the campus community give feedback on this effort. It begins by saying, “Elizabethtown College recognizes and respects the fact that our institution is located on the Susquehannock people’s ancestral homeland. While there is currently no Susquehannock community, we recognize the historical and cultural significance of this land. As an institution of higher education, we endeavor to honor and respect the indigenous people who once inhabited this territory.”
The rest of the statement can be found on the Diversity, Equity and Belonging section of the College’s website, but it is a powerful effort to make a better future for the College. This could also be a good precedent for other institutions to also acknowledge the people who once lived on their land.
There is still time for students to engage in events within the month; in the IDEA Lab in the High Library up until Dec. 8, there is an exhibit celebrating Indigenous authors, poets and musicians. In addition, anyone wanting to learn about Native heritage outside of the school or who does not have time to attend the events here should look to the Smithsonian, PBS and the History Channel for documentaries and series they put out.
