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Oct. 29, 2003

University of Michigan celebrates Native Americans heritage

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The University of Michigan, which recently added a new academic minor in Native American Studies, will be host to the 2003 Native American Heritage Celebration, developed and sponsored by the University’s Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and the U-M Native American Student Association. The series of events occur now through Dec. 6.

Events, which began with an Oct. 25 feast of the new season and Native Alaskan story-telling, include lectures and discussions, a concert and a professional comedy act, dance performances and film screenings.

The many events include a look at “Secret Societies at the University of Michigan,’’ a discussion of the University’s history with the Native American community on Nov. 18, as well as a Nov. 14 comedy act from Charlie Hill, a former writer for the hit show “Roseanne,’’ and a former regular on “The Steve Allen Show.’’ The performance capstone of the celebratory events is the Dec. 6 concert by Jana, one of the most acclaimed young vocalists on the music scene today.

Here is a list of some of the upcoming events:

• Film and discussion: "The Business of Fancy-Dancing" 7 p.m. Nov. 12
The William Monroe Trotter House, 1443 Washtenaw Ave (at South University)
Critically-acclaimed Spokane author Sherman Alexie followed up the release of "Smoke Signals" with this film that he wrote and directed. “The Business of Fancy-Dancing” provides a truly unique look at the life of Seymour Polatkin as he returns from his life as a successful poet to his home reservation in Washington State.

• Film and discussion with director and producer: “True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers”
7 p.m. Nov. 13
(Location TBA)
Sponsored by the U-M Program in Native American Studies.
Filmmaker Valerie Red-Horse will introduce a special Veteran's Day screening of “True Whispers: the Story of the Navajo Code Talkers.’’ The film, directed and produced by Ms. Red-Horse, explores from the Native point of view the complex story of the role that the Native American code talkers and the Navajo language played in secret communications during World War II. No cryptography system proved as effective during the war as did the Navajo code talkers using their tribal language to transmit military communiqués. Countless American lives were saved because of the service of the young Native American Marines. Ms. Red-Horse will discuss the film and answer questions after the hour-long documentary.

• An Evening with Charlie Hill
7:30 p.m. Nov. 14
The Trotter House
An evening of fun and laughter with Native American comedian Charlie Hill, a writer for the show "Roseanne" and a regular fixture on "The Steve Allen Show."

• Native American Living Histories Festival
noon-4:30 p.m. Nov. 16
The U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Sponsored by the U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History
A day of education and entertainment for kids of all ages.

• Native Americans and Secret Societies at the University of Michigan
7 p.m. Nov. 18
Location TBA
Discussion about the University's history with the Native community.

• Film: “Skinwalkers’’
7 p.m. Nov. 19
The Trotter House
From the “Mystery’’ series on PBS, Tony Hillerman's dramatic story of Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee comes to life on the silver screen.

• Film: “Rabbit-Proof Fence’’
7 p.m. Dec. 3.
The Trotter House
This powerful and emotional drama tells the true-life stories of three Australian Aboriginal girls abducted from their family and sent to boarding school in the 1930s. Award-winning actor Kenneth Branagh leads the cast of this highly acclaimed film.

• Jana in Concert
7:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Michigan Union (Room TBA)
Jana is one of the most acclaimed young vocalists on the music scene today. Her voice and dance tracks have been tearing up the club scene throughout the Northeast. Come out for a free chance to hear this award-winning Lumbee artist live.

• Tribal leaders presentation: A Long Road Home: Ojibwe Human Remains at the University of Michigan
Date and time TBA.
The Michigan Union
A presentation by the tribal leaders of the Birch Island Ojibwe community on the struggle for the repatriation of the remains of their ancestors.

• Lecture: Anton Treuer
Date and time TBA.
Location TBA.

Anton Treuer, a professor at Bemidji State University, is an authority on the Ojibwe language and oral tradition. Author of "Living Our Histories," Professor Treuer shares with us his unique insight on the importance of language to Native peoples in a modern world.

For more information, contact Steve Abbott at (734) 763-9044 or shabbott@umich.edu.

Related links:

U-M’s Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs >

U-M’s Native American Student Association >

Contact: Joe Serwach
Phone: (734) 647-1844
E-mail: jserwach@umich.edu