Virginia Tech's American Indian Heritage celebration honors tradition, changing perspectives
The annual American Indian Heritage celebration at Virginia Tech runs through Nov. 15. The theme for this year is “Honoring Traditions and Changing Perspectives.”
The featured event for American Indian Heritage month is “Tatanka Means: Native Americans: Past, Present, and Future.” It will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 in Old Dominion Ballroom on the lower level of Squires Student Center. This event is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services and is free and open to the public.
Means, an accomplished actor, comedian, and equality advocate, starred in the Emmy Award-winning miniseries "Into the West," created by Stephen Spielberg. The son of Russell Means, an influential member of the American Indian Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, Tatanka Means follows in his father’s footsteps as an advocate for equality and advancement for Native Americans.
A reception with a meet-and-greet opportunity to honor Means will be directly followed by his presentation in the Old Dominion Ballroom. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is sponsored by Multicultural Programs and Services and is free, however guests should RSVP by e-mail to Kristen Swanson Houston.
Free parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street, or the Shultz Hall Lot, located off Alumni Drive near the North Main Street campus entrance. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.
In addition to the featured event, the month-long American Indian Heritage celebration will include films, a discussion series, speakers, and art displays. Please visit the Multicultural Programs and Services website for a complete listing of events and additional details.
Written by Stephanie Paradiso of Rockville, Md., a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
