LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College will hold its annual Native American Awareness Week next week with four Zoom presentations and a raffle.
The theme for this year is “Sharing Identity” and the format has changed to all online presentations. Because of state and regional social distancing protocols, the annual Pow Wow will not be held this year.
Two presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, March 17. At 10:30-11:45 a.m., a panel discussion on “Nez Perce Tribe Economic & Environmental Opportunities” will be held, focusing on land, water code and solar projects. The panelists will be Casey Mitchell, Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee vice chair; Chantelle Greene, natural resource specialist with the Nez Perce Tribe; and Ken Clark of the Nez Perce Tribe Water Resources office.
The second presentation on Wednesday is at noon-1:15 p.m. and will focus on “Nez Perce Language.” The panelists will discuss their personal interest in Nimiipuutimt, recognizing elders along with storytelling. The panelists are LC State Nez Perce Language students Nakia Cloud, Victoria Konen, Roland Wilson, Angela Jackson and Jazlen Fillingim. LC State professor Harold Crook, who teaches Nez Perce Language, will be the moderator.
Two more discussions are set for Thursday, March 18. At 9-10:15 a.m. Bill Hayne, assistant professor in the Division of Teacher Education, will discuss “Leadership Through Serving Others.” Hayne is an LC State graduate and played baseball at the college. He is a member of the Assiniboine/Sioux nations of Fort Peck, Mont. He attended schools on the Nez Perce and Shoshone/Bannock reservations in Idaho. For 37 years, including the last 26 at LC State, Hayne has served in the education field in a variety of capacities, with an emphasis on Indian education and diverse learners/instruction.
At 10:30-11:45 a.m., Loretta Tuell, managing principal at Tuell Law, will discuss “Sovereignty – Use it or lose it.” She will discuss tribal sovereignty, what it means, how it is currently used by Tribes, and what it can mean for Tribes in the future. Tuell is an attorney and is a former senior government manager and legislative advisor in the field of Indian Affairs and government relations. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law. She is a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe and grew up on the reservation in Lapwai.
On Friday, March 19, there will be a closing and a scholarship raffle held at 1-2 p.m. at the Kiosk in the middle of campus. All campus safety protocols will be followed for this event, including face coverings required. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at the Pi’amkinwaas, located at 1112 7th Street, or at the Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services office in Reid Centennial Hall Room 112 on the LC State campus.
Native American Awareness Week is sponsored by the LC State Native American Club and Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services office. Other sponsors include the LC State President’s Office, the Idaho Humanities Council, the LC State President’s Diversity Commission, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge.
Visit the event’s webpage for more information.