November 13, 2006
Written by Michael Castellon
DATE: Nov. 13, 2006
CONTACT: Cory Chandler, cory.chandler@ttu.edu
(806) 742-2136
Texas Tech University will help celebrate National Native American Heritage Month
with a weeklong slate of activities.
Jacob Galvan, a Mescalero Apache from Lubbock, will host the smudging ceremony 11:30
a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 14) at the Texas Tech Student Union Building to help Texas Tech
kick off its celebration of National Native American Heritage Month.
The public is invited to participate in the ceremony, which is a ritualistic blessing
to cleanse or purify a person, object or place with smoke from sacred plants and herbal
resins.
Opening ceremonies also will include a traditional round dance, a Native American
custom in which participants in a large circle move in rhythm to drumming in an expression
of friendship and respect. Participants will receive a friendship bracelet as a “token
of the mutual appreciation and respect for individual humanity.”
On Wednesday (Nov. 15), nationally known Cherokee film star Wes Studi, of “Dances
with Wolves” fame will speak beginning at 7 p.m. in the Allen Theatre of the Student
Union. A reception following the reception will take place at the Southwest Collection
north of the Texas Tech Library.
Activities will wrap up at 7 p.m. Friday (Nov. 17) as the Native American Indian Heritage
Film Festival features “The Fast Runner” in the Student Union’s Escondido theatre.
A Native American Art Exhibit, showcasing paintings and pottery from the Texas Tech
Southwest Collection’s private holding, will be on display throughout the week at
the Student Union building
CONTACT: Jobi Martinez, assistant director, Center for Campus Life, Texas Tech University,
(806) 742-2192, or jobi.martinez@ttu.edu.