UPDATE (Nov. 10, 2015) — Due to equipment complications caused by rain, the remaining two classes on traditional acorn processing originally scheduled for Nov. 10 and 17 have been cancelled.
Fresno State’s observance of Native American Heritage Month began Nov. 3 and continues with the presentation “Sex-Trafficking Past and Present of California’s Native Peoples” at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.
Cari Herthel, a Chalon and Esselen tribal member, will lead the free, public discussion in the Music Building (Room 160).
The observance began Nov. 3 with a traditional acorn processing class by Lois Connor Bonha, Mono tribal elder who is in the image depicted in the living mural on the north side of the Henry Madden library facing the Peace Garden. The three-story digital LED mesh curtain depicts her in a red dress engaged in the yearlong process of weaving a traditional Mono basket.
Three classes were scheduled but the remaining two have been cancelled due to equipment complications caused by rain.
A presentation also was held Nov. 4 when Fresno State political science professor Dr. Kenneth N. Hansen discussed “Reconstituting Tribal Societies.”
The free, public events are presented by Fresno State’s Cross Cultural and Gender Center American Indian Programs and Services and the First Nations Indigenous Student Organization.
This is also the second year of the American Indian Recruitment and Resource Initiative (AIRRI), which was created to recruit and serve American Indian students in the local area.
Katie Garcia, outreach counselor for AIRRI and a member of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians and was raised in Ahwahnee, reports that 151 new American Indian students enrolled in the fall 2015 semester — more than double the enrollment of 82 in fall 2014.
In September, the first Native American Day celebration was held on campus after the holiday was signed into California law in 2014.
For more information, contact Garcia at 559.278.2048 or katie_garcia@csufresno.edu. or Dr. Charles Ettner, coordinator for the American Indian Studies Program and tribal anthropologist for the Chalon Indian Nation, at 559.278.8831 or charlese@csufresno.edu.
(University Communications student news assistant Erika Denise Castañon contributed to this report).
Links:
University announces American Indian recruitment initiative – www.fresnostatenews.com/2014/12/university-announces-american-indian-recruitment-initiative/
Henry Madden Library living mural – www.misenberg.com/portfolio-public-projects/henry-madden-library/
Two talks highlight Native American month – www.fresnostatenews.com/2014/11/two-talks-highlight-native-american-month/
First California Native American Day celebrated Sept. 25 – www.fresnostatenews.com/2015/09/first-california-native-american-day-celebrated-sept-25/
Native American Heritage Month
First Nations Indigenous Student Organization of Fresno State
