News & Events

UNC Asheville Hosts Special Events for Native American Heritage Month

November 7, 2012

UNC Asheville will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a series of special events including a panel discussion, storytelling performance, and presentations of Cherokee language, ceremonies, pottery, ceremonies and rituals.

Native American Heritage Month Activities at UNC Asheville include:

• Cherokee Coalition Experience: Transformation through Forgiveness – Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and non-natives will discuss the "Journey to Forgiveness and Healing," a recent retracing of the Trail of Tears from Oklahoma back to Cherokee, N.C. Refreshments will be served. 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, UNC Asheville's Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum.
• A Cherokee Perspective of Place: Traditional Storytelling – Tom Belt, visiting Cherokee language instructor at Western Carolina University, presents a storytelling performance. Native American studies exhibits by UNC Asheville students will also be on display, and refreshments will be served. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, Alumni Hall.
• Cherokee Language Demonstration – Tom Belt and Hartwell Francis, director of the Cherokee language program at Western Carolina University will discuss the history of syllabary and demonstrate its use. 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, Intercultural Center.
• Exhibit of Pottery and Art by Darrin Bark – Bark, a Cherokee artist and potter, has taught and demonstrated at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. One of his drawings, a winner in the Congressional Arts Competition, was displayed in the White House. The exhibit will be on display throughout November. A reception with the artist will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, Intercultural Center.
• Ceremonies and Ritual Discussion – Sharon Oxendine, program director at Mountain Bizworks, will discuss ceremonies and rituals of indigenous Native American groups. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union, Intercultural Center.
• "We Shall Remain" – PBS documentary series will be presented in installments at 7 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 3, in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union.

All Native American Heritage Month activities at UNC Asheville are free and open to the public.

Co-sponsors for these events include the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and many UNC Asheville departments and programs. For more information, call Laura Bond, chair and professor of drama, at 828.232.2992, or Lamar Hylton, director of multicultural student programs, at 828.251.6585.