Although the month of November has been designated for celebrating the traditions and achievements of the original inhabitants of the U.S. since 1990, USC did not hold a university-wide celebration for Native American Heritage Month until this year.
Today, President Carol Folt introduced this historic event.
Carol Folt: As we celebrate the first - I am not going to say it’s not long overdue, but we’re here now, and that’s really important.
The Native American Heritage Month celebration began with various performances and traditional Bird Singing, with audiences dancing along to the upbeat rhythm of the song.
Dereck Duro, a leader singer for the TM Bird Singer explains the cultural history behind the performance.
Dereck Duro: It was a good thing to be able to share because like I said, my Uncle Ernie, he was our leader and our teacher, he taught us these songs for the people. To share the songs, so every time I get to share the songs, I keep a piece of him alive.
Hosted by The Native American Student Assembly, the events featured members speaking in their traditional language and a panel of students and professors who identified with Native American Heritage.
Cat Broderick, Director of Programming for NASA and the Cultural Ambassador for the Native American Pacific Island Lounge explains what this means to USC’s Native American community.
Cat Broderick: I think any chance to celebrate indigenous people is important. Campus has been and always will be native land and any chance for us to take up space and for students to support us and reconnect with their own heritage. There’s so many indigenous students on campus excited to learn more and excited to be a part of community.
Even the USC lacrosse team made an appearance and acknowledged their sport’s origin in Native American tradition. Members pledged to dedicate games in recognition to native lands and traditions.
USC students can continue to celebrate Native American history by attending LA SKINS FEST’s Pow Wow event on Saturday November 18th at 9 am, where they will be screening Native American films at the TCL Chinese Theater.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Diego Ynzunza with help from Kailee Bryant.