Native American Cultural Celebration 2024
“Our Legacy from Turtle Island to Present“
Turtle Island was known by sovereign first nations in North America prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. In indigenous traditions, the turtle represents the earth. For the past five centuries, this island has transformed into a multicultural bridge between the east and west. Join the Native American Student Association and the James Farmer Multicultural Center, as we uplift the proud legacy of Americas’ first people and the truth of what previous generations endured through colonization.
Native American Cultural Dinner
Monday, November 11 | 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC, Cedric Rucker University Center
Cost with Campus Meal Plan: 1 meal swipe or $14.92 flex. The cost for EagleOne or credit card is $17.23.
Co-sponsored by University Dining
University Dining, in partnership with the Native American Student Association (NASA), is hosting a special, premium dinner to celebrate the vast array of Native American dishes. The menu will include dishes from many Native American tribes ranging from the Southwest to the Northeast. Guests will also have an opportunity to talk with members of NASA about Native American cultures and the special events they have planned for the Native American Cultural Celebration.
Movie Night: By Blood: Native American Men Fight for Cherokee Citizenship
Wednesday, November 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Colonnade Room 315, Cedric Rucker University Center
By Blood explores the impact of American Indians of African descent battling to regain their tribal citizenship, which has manifested into a broader conflict about race, identity, and the sovereign rights of indigenous people. The film demonstrates both sides of the battle, the shared emotional impact of the issue, and the rising urgency of the debate: a Native American and African American history has been overlooked, and a tribal body feels as though their sovereignty is under siege.
Legacies and Consequences
Wednesday, November 13 | 6 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom A&B, Cedric Rucker University Center
Join us for a discussion on the Civilization Fund Act of 1819, enacted by Congress during the presidency of President James Monroe to promote education and assimilation of Native American tribes through Indian schools. This legislation aimed to bridge cultures, significantly impacting Indigenous education in the U.S. We will explore its intent and the complexities of U.S. policy toward Native Americans in the 19th century. Speakers will share personal stories and historical accounts about one of the Act’s most enduring and problematic legacies, Indian boarding schools. The event will include an engaging panel discussion followed by a Q&A session.
Native American Cultural Celebration Major Speaker:
Rene’ Locklear White
Thursday, November 14 | 7 pm | Chandler Ballroom C, Cedric Rucker University Center
René Locklear White is an active member of the Lumbee Indian Nation. First and foremost, she is married to her wonderful husband Chris (Comeswithclouds) White. She holds a master’s degree in Diplomacy, three bachelor’s degrees in American Indian Studies, Fine Art and Mathematics from her tribal university the University of N.C. at Pembroke. She is a devoted volunteer. Her vision is to help leaders first, bring recognition to the contributions of Indigenous peoples to reduce suffering. As co-founder of a Native American non-profit, she has been working to bundle together decolonizing educational artifacts, activities and resources. René sees herself as an intercultural mediator and Indigenous artist.
As an artist who specializes in food, drawing/painting, beading, writing, multimedia, and photography as well as creating events, digital posters, magazine layouts, websites, and filming/editing videos, she envisions her art skills as tools for decolonization in support of Indigenous Peoples. As an Indigenous chef, she demonstrates cooking and preserving “first foods” as an art form to veterans and at local libraries, Lumbee events, and various museums including the Smithsonian. She has taught art-in-nature, helped children build and interactive with an Indian Village and worked to preserve pre-historic and historic landmarks, including a Paleo-Indian site her husband found on their property. She supports women’s events, writes articles, speaks at public events and helps senior citizens & military veterans.
She works closely with Virginia’s Indigenous Tribes, working with them to select Indigenous words for street names and names for structures. René supports Simply Shenandoah leadership as a “Native American Wisdom Keeper” to educate them about Indigenous traditions and practices and help integrate proven and traditional wisdom into the resort’s design, programing, landscape, and menus.
René is a Master Public-Affairs Officer trained by the Department of Defense for 25 years. She managed the Department’s branding, intellectual property and joint-recruiting web sites. She worked with people of influence fostering critical interagency partnerships including the White House, State Department, Secretary of Defense, news media and embassies, as well as Virginia Arts Commission, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Go Blue Ridge Travel, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, Virginia Artisan Trail Network, Top of Virginia Artisan Trail and her Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. René is a resourceful initiator and helper. She describes herself as an “emissary” and her team of friends and volunteers as a “cultural rescue” team.Feather Painting Experience
For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540/654-1044 or umwjfmc@gmail.com. Visit students.umw.edu/multicultural.
Please email us at umwjfmc@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.