2010

The American Indian/Alaskan Native Student

Association began in 2003 as an effort between

the Office of Diversity Programs & Services

(ODPS) and a handful of students to create a

support program for Native students at George

Mason University. Over the years, AIANSA has

grown to include Native and non-Native faculty,

staff and community members.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush

approved a joint resolution designating

November 1990 as “National American

Indian Heritage Month.” Similar

proclamations have been issued each

year since 1994.

National American Indian and Alaskan

Native Heritage Month is celebrated to

recognize the intertribal cultures and to

educate the public about the heritage,

history, art and traditions of the

American Indian and Alaskan Native

people.

AIANSA

HOW WESTARTED

American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month

ODPS serves students, cultural organizations,

and the Mason community by promoting an

environment that fosters and values human

understanding and diversity. The goal of ODPS

is to provide a campus environment where

diversity is valued, appreciated, and celebrated.

In addition, the office is devoted to increasing

the awareness and knowledge of issues

important to community harmony. For more

information, visit the ODPS website at

http://odps.gmu.edu.

ODPS

Pre-Powwow Dance Workshop

6:30 – 8:30 p.m., JC Gold Room

Get ready for the Powwow! Learn how to dance.

Members of the American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association will offer an introduction

to traditional native dance, music, and regalia

making. Everyone is welcome, but come

prepared to move, learn and have a good time.

Sponsored by American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association and the Office of Diversity

Programs & Services

TUESNOV. 2

Identity: Student Panel Discussion

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. JC Gold Room

This year AIANSA’s student panel discussion

is inspired by the multiethnic identities of our

own members. Many of our members identify

with multiple racial and ethnic groups including

Native American, White, African-American and/

or Black, Hispanic, and Caribbean communities.

We believe this is a reflection of our increasingly

multiethnic society. In fact, today the multiracial

population is the fastest growing demographic

group in the US! We will discuss what it’s like

to be multiethnic, including the perks and

challenges of balancing multiple identities.

Sponsored by the American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association and the Office of Diversity

Programs & Services.

THURSNOV. 4

Native American Heritage Lunch

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southside

Several delicious traditional Native dishes will

be available.

Mason Money, Meal Plan, or Cash.

Sponsored by George Mason Dining Services

The Historic Trauma of Native American

Boarding Schools

7:00 -8:30pm, JC Dewberry Hall

T Carter, President of Native American Alumni

Group, will expose the historic trauma caused

by early Native American boarding schools,

focusing on Carlyle Indian School, Carlyle, PA.

She will also discuss how the boarding school

experience has had a lasting impact on Native

American children and their parents today.

Sponsored by Mason Child Development Center

FRINOV. 5

MONNOV. 8

8th Annual Veteran’s Powwow

1 – 9:30p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall

The powwow is a central social event in

indigenous culture, combining dance and

music: Host Drum, White Oak Singers (Northern)

and Red Blanket Singers (Southern). Master of

Ceremonies: Lawrence Baker. Arena Director:

Manuel Rodriguez. Head Dancers: Dora

Birdshead and Nicholas Birdshead. Head Junior

Dancers: Alexander Fire Walker and Alexis

Hill. Open to ALL. Admission is FREE. A large

selection of traditional art and crafts will be

available for purchase.

For more information, call ODPS, 703-993-2700.

Sponsored by American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association, the Office of Diversity

Programs & Services, the Native American Alumni

Group and University Life.

WEDNOV. 10

Provost and VP Tea (invitation only)

1p.m. – 2 p.m., Mason Hall D1

Provost Peter Stearns will facilitate this

discussion with American Indian/Alaskan Native

students.

Sponsored by the Provost’s Office, University Life,

and Office of Diversity Programs & Services.

MONNOV. 15

Choker Making Workshop

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

South Chesapeake Module

Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop!

Historian and textile artist, T Carter will

demonstrate the basic techniques used in

making traditional Native American bone

chokers. Each participant will have the

opportunity to design and create a choker.

RSVP by November 1, 2010 if you plan to attend.

703-624-6201.

Sponsored by the Native American Alumni

Group, American Indian/Alaskan Native Student

Association and the Office of Diversity Programs &

Services

TUESNOV. 16

Trail of Tears Intertribal Dance Troupe’s

Annual Toy Drive

1 – 2:30 p.m., SUB II Ballroom back section

This performance supports the collection of

new toys for Lakota children from birth to age

14 living on the Cheyenne River Reservation in

South Dakota – one of the poorest areas in the

world. Please come, enjoy the Native American

dancing, and bring a toy, backpack, or school

supplies. This Christmas, you can put a smile on

the faces of these children who have so very

little.

Sponsored by the American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association and the Office of Diversity

Programs & Services.

THURSNOV. 18

American Indian/Alaskan Native Student

Association Meeting and Potluck Dinner

6:00pm, South Chesapeake Module

Join the members of the Association for the

last event for Native Heritage Month. We will

recap on this year’s calendar of events, discuss

plans for the upcoming spring semester, and

share in a wonderful potluck meal. Students are

encouraged to bring a traditional Native dish.

Sponsored by the American Indian/Alaskan Native

Student Association and the Office of Diversity

Programs & Services.

TUESNOV. 23

Notes

Visit:

For more information on the many activities forAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month andhow to get involved with the Native StudentAssociation, please contact the Office of DiversityPrograms & Services at 703-993-2700.

gmu-aiansa.webs.com created by Rashelle Simpson, AIANSA President

For more Information

ODPS.GMU.EDUVisit:

for event updates, location changes and to see more information.

KC Designs™www.krisceleste.com