The Office of Multicultural Programs and Services offers a Roundtable Discussion with Michael Oberg, SUNY Distinguished Professor of History, on Oct. 17 from 3:30-5 p.m in the MacVittie College Union Ballroom, the first event in the college’s 2016 Cultural Harmony Week.
Titled “Homelands: Teaching and Learning on Native Ground,” the roundtable will focus on the legacies of colonialism within American nations. Cultural Harmony Week continues through Oct. 24.
The roundtable focuses on the duties and obligations that higher education institutions have to Native American history and people. In addition to Oberg, the roundtable includes Kevin White, assistant professor of American studies and Native American studies at SUNY Oswego; Alyssa Mt. Pleasant, assistant professor of transnational studies at the University at Buffalo; and Theresa McCarthy, assistant professor of transnational studies at the University of Buffalo.
Other Cultural Harmony Week events include:
- The Redhawk Native American Arts Council addresses stereotyping and teaches traditional dances in their Oct. 18 performance from 7-8 p.m. Set in the Onondaga Hall Bullpen, the council will teach two traditional dances: the Green Corn Dance and the Buffalo Dance. Additionally, the Redhawk artists will educate participants not only on the background of Native American traditions, but also on stereotyping. A nonprofit organization established and sustained by Native American artists and educators who reside in the New York City area, the Council is dedicated to educating the general public about Native American heritage through cultural expression. This includes song, dance, theatre, works of art and more.
- José Barreiro presents on Oct. 19 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. as Geneseo’s All-College Hour Speaker in the MacVittie College Union Ballroom. In his addressed, titled “Consciousness & Indigeneity: Thoughts From 40 Years of Activism,” he will discuss the emergence of indigenous peoples and movements into the world arena. Barreiro also will address the implications at national and local levels for community activism and for global thinking. A member of the Taino Nation of the Antilles, Barreiro is also the assistant director for research and the director of the Office for Latin America at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. His work has been groundbreaking in contributing to Native American journalism and publishing, such as in his program at Akwe:kon, which developed communication and community development networks among indigenous peoples of the Americas.
- The Seneca Nation Dancers of the Seneca Nation of Indians will perform on Oct. 20. Organized by Kerriann Spruce of the Seneca Language Department in Cattaraugus, the performance will commence at 5 p.m. at the Knight’s Spot. The special program will include a presentation and performance, both of which focus on a historical overview, traditional dances and language translation. The event will also delve into the issues that the Native American community face and the initiatives that have been established to strengthen their culture, economic development and education. According to their website, the Seneca are known as the “Keeper of the Western Door,” for the Seneca are the westernmost of the Six Nations. The Seneca Nation of Indians invites people to explore the rich culture and traditions that the Seneca share—all of which students can discover by attending the performance.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu