NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900

EAU CLAIRE — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will host a number of events in honor of Native American Awareness Week, April 19-24. An understanding of various Native American cultures and multiculturalism will be promoted through a variety of speeches, presentations and performances. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

• Opening ceremony by Gordon Thunder — 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, near the historic site of the Council Oak Tree between the School of Nursing and Davies Center.
• Presentation by Ada Deer — Noon Monday, April 19, Potawatomi Room, Davies Center. Deer is currently the director of American Indian Studies program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Deer will speak about her vast experiences, including her instrumental role in reversing the termination of the Menominee Nation as well as issues in the social work field.
• Presentation by Jim St. Arnold — 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, Davies Theater, Davies Center. St. Arnold is a program specialist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. He will be speaking about various issues regarding environmental protection and preservation of natural resources.
• Presentation by Carol and Harvey Gunderson — Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, Davies Theater, Davies Center. The Gundersons have spent much time and effort protesting the use of Indian mascots and logos.
• Performance by Robert Soto — 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, Davies Theater, Davies Center. Soto, a Lipan Apache, has been dancing for 40 years. He also plays the Indian Love Flute and performs the Hoop Dance and Eagle Dance
• Rhonda Trammell Concert — 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, Davies Theater, Davies Center. Trammell is a multi-talented singer, song-writer and poet. Her debut album, “How Can I Believe in You,” was released in 2003.
• Presentation by Fran VanZile and Fred Ackley Jr. — 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), Davies Theater, Davies Center. VanZile and Ackley will address issues surrounding the joint purchase of the Crandon Mine by the Sokaogon Chippewa Mole Lake Band and the Forest County Potawatomie Community. They will speak about the cultural significance and importance of water.
• “Skins” — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, April 22, Room 103, Hibbard Hall. Mike Hilger, a retired UW-Eau Claire professor and author of “From Savage to Nobleman: Images of Native Americans in Film,” will introduce and lead discussion before and after the movie. The film is about one man’s exhilarating and life-affirming act of defiance, revealing the redemptive power of the love between two brothers.
• Fry bread Taco Sale — 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Friday, April 23, Davies Center Veranda. Sponsored by the Native American Student Association.
• First Grand Entry: Honoring Education Pow Wow — 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24, Zorn Arena. Admission is $3. Free entry for seniors and children under 5.
• Second Grand Entry: Honoring Education Pow Wow — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24, Zorn Arena. Admission is $3. Free entry for seniors and children under 5.

All events are sponsored by the Native American Student Association, the American Indian Studies department and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. For additional information, contact Amy Williams at williaar@uwec.edu or Chris Kedrowski at kedrowcn@uwec.edu.

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XY/NW

Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: April 9, 2004