Highlighting Indigenous past and present in November
This is a letter to the editor, from The CSB Senate Cultural Visibility Committee.
The month of November aims to provide a platform for Native people in the US to commemorate and share their culture, traditions and ways of life. There are approximately 326 reservations in the US. This month is also a time to educate the general public about the tribes’ past and present experiences, raising awareness about the unique challenges Native people have historically faced—and continue to face. The way tribal citizens have worked to conquer and overcome these obstacles are also recognized.
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Senator and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), alongside Senator Schatz, chairman of the SCIA, issued a statement that they will co-lead the introduction of a Senate Resolution this month to recognize the students of Indian boarding schools. The past national election saw a record six Native Americans elected to Congress. Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna) is the first Native American cabinet member, serving as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. A month after her appointment, Biden made history as the first president to issue a presidential proclamation acknowledging Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which has been an ongoing effort to refocus the holiday dedicated to celebrating Christopher Columbus to one that highlights the generations of native persecution at the hands of European settlers.
“It’s important that we always remember to honor the resilience, love and strength of our ancestors who brought us to this point in time and to our elders and all of our relatives who continue to be courageous and committed to practicing our sacred traditions through song and prayer,” says Strong Hearts Native Helpline Director Lori Jump, who is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
**Student Spotlight: CSB Senior Adrianna Warden**
Major: Nutrition, Dietetics; Gender Studies minor
Tribe: White Earth Band of Ojibwe
I’m originally from Anoka, but my family is a part of the White Earth Band of Anishinaabe, a reservation in northwest Minnesota. I serve as the treasurer for the Indigenous Student Association, a newly formed club at CSB/SJU. Being Indigenous has always been an important aspect of my life whether that be family gatherings or cooking various dishes, one of them being wild rice. Through CSB/SJU, I have had the opportunity to work with my tribe and wild rice. Giving back to family or community, whether they be blood relatives or not, is an important aspect of my ancestry. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to give back to my community by doing research with Ted Gordon and the White Earth Tribal Historical Preservation Officer Jaime Arsenault, examining the cultural and economic benefit of wild rice for White Earth. I am thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with my tribe while giving back to protect wild rice and their lakes. In addition to White Earth, I have been able to advocate for my community through ISA by promoting and facilitating club events, speakers and educational classes. I’m proud to be Native American and hope everyone gets the chance to watch the movie “We Breathe Again” this Saturday.
**Events taking place on campus:**
1. Movie Showing: “We Breathe Again” Nov. 13, Multicultural Center, 7-9 p.m.
2. International Student Week: Nov. 15-19
3. Beyond the Gender Binary: Nov. 17 at the Multicultural Center, 6 p.m.
4. International Exercise Day: Nov. 18, Multicultural Center, 4:30-6:30 p.m.