The University of Central Arkansas will host a Native American Heritage Month Celebration Nov. 16 with members of the Indian Inter-Tribal Association of Arkansas (INARK).
The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. INARK will perform a pow wow dance and drum segment, share the history of Native Americans, and tell Native American folk stories. The event is free and open to the public.
INARK is a non-profit organization founded through the combined efforts and desires of Native American people in Arkansas. Its goal is to preserve and share with all interested people the culture and heritage of Native Americans.
The organization seeks to provide a social outlet for all who are interested in Native American culture, to open new avenues for Native American craftsmen, and to interpret and to share with others the history, lore, dances, songs, crafts and ideas of the Native Americans.
“INARK has performed all over the region. We encourage the UCA community and public to join us as we bring a little bit of Native American history and culture to the UCA campus,” said Angela Jackson, interim director of the Office of Minority Student Services. For at least three years, the Office of Minority Student Services has celebrated the various cultures represented by the UCA’s minority populations through its Celebration of Culture Series.
“We implemented the Celebration of Culture Series to promote issues of diversity among different ethnicities by building communication and an understanding of different cultural backgrounds,” Jackson said. “These programs bring an awareness of history through education and performances as well as an appreciation of different ethnic backgrounds.”
Native American Heritage Month Celebration is sponsored by Minority Mentorship Program and Minority Student Services. For more information, contact Minority Student Services at angelaj@uca.edu or 501.450.3135.
