Charleston’s Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS) will host and sponsor events surrounding the theme of Native Americans and their histories as part of Cultural Awareness Week, November 17 – 21, 2014. The events are free and open to the College community.
RELATED: Learn more about the Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services
A screening for the film The Lesser Blessed, a documentary about a Native American teen finding his way in contemporary America, will take place November 17 at 2 p.m. in the MSPS building (207 Calhoun St.) second floor living room.
On November 18 and 20, MSPS student assistants will host an activity to teach participants to make their own dream catcher. This event will take place in the Theodore S. Stern Student Center (71 George St.) at 1 p.m. both days.
On November 19, history professor Dr. Christophe Boucher and Michael D. Coker, operations assistant at Charleston’s Old Exchange Building, will host the Native Americans and Their Histories Symposium, during which the two will lecture on the subject. This event will include authentic Native American food for guests, like bannock tacos, sweet corn soup and gold rice pudding, while supplies last. The symposium will be held in the Office of Admissions in Craig Hall (66 George St.) room 102 at 3 p.m.
“Native American history and culture have directly influenced American culture for centuries,” Boucher said. “These Cultural Recognition Week events will provide valuable insights into their rich histories, many of which involve South Carolina.”
“Our goal is to help our students be successful, and success means understanding, adapting, and embracing diversity and multiculturalism,” says David Michener, Associate Director of Multicultural Student Programs and Services. “We empower students to be agents of social change. And events like Native American History Month are the first step.”
2014 marks the fifth annual Cultural Recognition Week program at the College of Charleston. Previous themes have included sports mascots and logos, casinos, military service, and wealth and land.
Featured image courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website.
