SCC Announces Native American Heritage Month Festivities in November

Published: 10/21/2009

• Bill Miller, award-winning musician, will perform his music and will speak at noon Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the auditorium of the Social Sciences Building. The Native American singer, songwriter, master flute player, guitarist, composer, visual artist, and lecturer will give a concert and will talk about his experiences and heritage. For more information on Bill Miller, visit www.houseofwally.com/bm.htm.
• “The Battle for Whiteclay,” the 2008 film documentary about the conflict between the Nebraska town of Whiteclay and the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation over the sale of alcohol, will be shown at 7 p.m. Monday,
  Nov. 9, in auditorium of the Social Sciences Building. The controversy surrounding the selling of alcohol so close to the reservation has been in existence since the 1800s, and continues today. Faced with alcoholism and alcohol-related deaths on the reservation, the film highlights the problems, the legal efforts, and the social issues that come into play.
  
  Following the film, a question and answer session will be led by Hal Berry, SCC professor of history and theater; Frank LaMere, Native American activist; and Michael Murphy, Nebraska’s highly regarded folk singer, whose music is featured in the film.
• “Forgotten People: Native America,” a panel discussion with prominent Native Americans will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the auditorium of the Social Sciences Building. The panel will discuss and answer questions about the serious issues facing Native American people today and the role race continues to play in how they are treated. Panelists will include educators, performing artists, graduate students, and activists. The event will be hosted by Berry.
• Michael Murphy, singer/songwriter and activist, will present a concert emphasizing his ties to Native American music at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the auditorium of the Social Sciences Building. Murphy’s music is featured in the 2008 movie, "The Battle for Whiteclay," and his CD, “Black Elk Sings,” was just named “Traditional Native American CD of the Year” by the Rural Roots Music Commission. The multi-instrumentalist regularly tours the nation and is a favorite on college campuses. For more information on Michael Murphy, visit www.michaelmurphymusic.com.
• “The True Story of the First Thanksgiving,” a lunch event featuring traditional, authentic foods, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in Rooms 205/206 of the Student Center. Participants should bring a donation of three canned goods or $3.

For more information, contact Kelley Pfeiffer at 636-922-8544, or Hal Berry at 636-922-8261.

Native American Heritage Month events are sponsored by SCC’s Multicultural Programming Committee and the SCC History Department. SCC’s Multicultural Programming Committee is a group of SCC faculty and staff that coordinates events in an effort to broaden students’ perspectives and enhance their education.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.