The American Indian Heritage Center at UNC Pembroke recently announced events for American Indian Heritage Month to be held November 2-30.

The purpose of American Indian Heritage Month is to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions, traditions and histories of American Indians. The month-long celebration is a time to observe the university’s unique status as North Carolina’s historically American Indian university, and to share American Indian culture and history with the university community. These events are open to everyone on campus.

Details for virtual events listed below can be found on BraveConnect and at uncp.edu/aiheritagemonth, including Webex/Zoom access links and event registration links.

UNC Pembroke’s events to be held during American Indian Heritage Month include:

• November 2, 2021: Dr. Walt Wolfram, distinguished professor at North Carolina State University, will present “Why is Lumbee English Important?” The presentation will focus on the history and importance of Lumbee English and will kick off the university's celebration of AI Heritage Month. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center and the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs.  The event will take place in the University Center Annex on November 2, 2021, from noon to 1:30 pm. Lunch will be provided. UNCP faculty and staff can register at uncp.edu/wolfram.
• November 3, 2021: Inquiring Minds Tabling Event. Sponsored by Phi Sigma Nu. Located in the University Center. The event is from noon to 2 pm.
• November 4, 2021: 13th annual Honoring Native Foodways. Sponsored by the Department of American Indian Studies, the Museum of the Southeast American Indian, the Southeast American Indian Studies Program, and the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (OSID). The event will be held on the University Center Annex lawn from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. It is free and open to the public. For information, visit uncp.edu/ais
• November 6, 2021: American Indian Heritage Day UNCP football game. Sponsored by the Town of Pembroke and UNCP Athletics. The game begins at noon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
• November 8, 2021: National First-Generation Celebration Day Events:
  • Grab and Go Breakfast spot in three locations (near commuter parking lots) Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center and Southeast American Indian Studies. Located in the University Center. The event is from 9 a.m. to 11am.

• In front of Old Main and the Oxendine Science Building

• In front of the Business Administration Building

• In front of the Jones Center on the football field side

• Tabling Event. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center. Located in the University Center. The event is from noon to 2 p.m.
• November 10, 2021: Indigenous Power Hour: Handling Microaggressions featuring guest speaker Dr. Leslie Locklear. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center. Located in University Center, Room 251. The event is from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• November 16, 2021: Distinguished Speaker Series: Tommy Orange. Sponsored by Campus Engagement and Leadership and GPAC. Located in the Givens Performing Arts Center. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for faculty/staff/children and free for UNCP students with a valid ID. Visit uncp.edu/gpactickets to purchase tickets.

Orange is the author of There There, a multi-generational, relentlessly paced story about a side of America few of us have ever seen—the lives of urban Native Americans. One of The New York Times' top books of 2018 and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, There There depicts violence and recovery, hope and loss, identity and power, dislocation and communion, and the beauty and despair woven into the history of a nation and its people. Orange also wrote a piece for GQ Magazine about Indigenous film star Wes Studi, featured in the 2018-2019 UNCP Distinguished Speaker Series.

• November 17, 2021: Sophomore Year Experience: It’s all about Balance. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center. Located in the University Center, Room 251. The event is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• November 18, 2021: The Complexity of Picture Books: Frybread book reading with author Kevin Maillard. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center, Center for Student Success and Southeast American Indian Studies. Located in the University Center Annex. The event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner provided for UNCP students and families.
• November 30, 2021: NASO End of Semester Celebration. Sponsored by Native American Student Organization. Located in University Center, Room 213. The event starts at 6 p.m.

American Indian Heritage Month is sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center, American Indian Heritage Planning Committee, Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs, Center for Student Success, Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity, Southeast American Indian Studies, Department of American Indian Studies, Campus Engagement and Leadership, Athletics, Native American Student Organization (NASO) and Phi Sigma Nu.

For more information about American Indian Heritage Month, visit uncp.edu/aiheritagemonth or contact the American Indian Heritage Center at 910.775.4782 or aihc@uncp.edu.  

The American Indian Heritage Center centralizes programming for American Indian students at UNCP by providing cultural, social, and academic programs for American Indian students as well as educational programming for non-Native faculty, staff, and students. To learn more, follow the AIHC on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and uncp.edu/aihc.