Nov. 29, 2012 - The Cherokee One Feather

cherokee one feather/na tsalagi soquo ugidahliTHURSDAY, NOV. 29, 201223Western Carolina Universitycelebrated the NativeAmerican Heritage Monthn November 19-20 with the 4thnnual Native American Heritagexpo at the University Center in therandroom. Presenters and perormersparticipated in the eventonoring the Native programs atestern and the Eastern Band ofherokee Indians community.A highlight of the event was theuncheon performances by theherokee Central Schools ElemenaryTraditional Singers and the secndand third grade students fromhe New Kituwah Academy. Atteneesfrom WCU were joined by parntsand relatives of the youngingers to fill the Grandroom to caacity.The Academy students perormedtraditional Cherokee dances,ed by Matt Tooni, before everyonenjoyed a great lunch sponsored byhe Intercultural Affairs departmentt WCU.Prior to giving the openingreeting, Chancellor David Belcherpoke with Cara Forbes, a new Freshanat WCU and current presidentf the Native student organization,igali i. Chancellor Belcher alsoook time from his busy scheduled toook through the exhibits on displayn the Grandroom.Other presenters included Judyastorena who spoke on the “Reemberthe Removal” experienceshe had during the summer of 2012.Musicologist Sara Snyder of ColumbiaUniversity and fluent speakerNannie Taylor of the New KituwahAcademy presented their work ontranslating modern-day songs intothe Cherokee language in order toappeal to the changing interests ofthe Cherokee speaking community.Dr. Hartwell Francis and Tom Beltpresented “Computer Says ‘Hello’:Native American Language Learningand Electronic Media.” A panel,sponsored by Dr. Lisa Bloom from theCollege of Education and Allied Professions,“Improving Educational Attainmentthrough Native AmericanCulture,” included Myrtle Driver,Cherokee Elder and teacher, JonnieWalkingstick and Judy Castorenafrom Cherokee Central Schools.Anna Fariello, Associate ResearchProfessor, Hunter Library DigitalPrograms director presented “Fromthe Hands of Our Elders: ExploringHunter Library’s Online Resources.”Anna Taylor gave a presentation onthe work she does as a local Cherokeeartist. She then demonstratedand instructed some 15 WCU studentson the art of finger-weaving.Students from Digali I made cornbead necklaces for gifts and EducationalOutreach gave gifts of vasesengraved with WCU and WCU keychains. Contributions from manyresources made the Expo a success!WCU PhotoWCU Chancellor David Belcher is shown with Cara Forbes, a new freshman at WCUand current president of the Native student organization Digali i.www.theonefeather.com