Native Americans honored on Indigenous People's Day

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but at his destination someone was already there — and, as Native American undergraduates showed Monday — that someone is still here.

As an alternative to Columbus Day, Indigenous People's Day celebrated the cultures and survival of Native American tribes.

The event at the International Center attracted about 30 members of the University community to this festival of Native American heritage and history.

"Columbus never saw a Pueblo person," said A-dae Romero '04, who came to the University from a school on a Pueblo reservation in New Mexico. "But [his arrival] represents a time of change for all Indian people."

The program featured academic and student presentations on Native American issues. Andrew Isenberg, an assistant history professor, spoke about the ecological, economic and cultural interactions that Native Americans have had with Europeans since the conquest of the Americas.

"[People] tend to think of Indians and colonists as living in separate worlds," Isenberg said.

He noted that many contacts between colonists and Native Americans, such as trade and the sharing of cultures, were not negative. In fact, some founders of the Constitution allude to the Native American way of life in their writings.

"When Benjamin Franklin proposed that the colonies unite, he looked at the strength and endurance of Native Americans like the Iroquois," Isenberg said.

Undergraduates also gave their perspectives on dealing with cultural differences as Native American students.

"There needs to be greater awareness to acts that have occurred in history," said Rachel Gutwein '04, "awareness about culture and celebration of culture."

Chris Francis '05, a Navajo who attended a predominantly white high school, agreed that education about Native American culture and history is important. He recalled receiving a Thanksgiving homework assignment as a child that depicted Native Americans as savages dependent on the Pilgrims.

"It's important to realize the image we portray to younger generations," he said.

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While Francis found the University to have a "large support system," as a freshman he had difficulties finding classes and activities relating to Native American issues.

"You'd have to research the student course guide to find something to do with Native Americans," he said.

Another highlight of Indigenous People's Day was a performance by the drum group "Silvercloud." The three drummers chanted music while rhythmically beating a large wooden drum.