Indigenous Heritage
HCC celebrating Native American Heritage Month with evenets on on campus and online
Holyoke Community College is celebrating Native American Heritage Month with a series of on-campus and online events this week and next.
On Tues., Nov. 16, at noon, HCC will host a Zoom event highlighting the history of violence against Indigenous women. David Brule, chairman of the Nolumbeka Project and member of the Nehantic Tribal Council, will begin with a land acknowledgement, a traditional custom recognizing that Indigenous people were the original stewards of the land on which we now live.
Indigenous advocate Aminah Ghaffar will follow with a presentation about the origins of violence against Indigenous people and talk about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Movement, also known as the MMIWG2S+ Movement, for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womxn, Girls, and Two Spirit Movement.
On Wed., Nov, 17, at 10 a.m., in room 301 of the HCC Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, guest speaker Anthony Melting Tallow, a member of the Siksikaitsitapi Blackfoot Nation, will talk about life as a two-spirit Native American. Melting Tallow, who lives in Chicopee, is a visual artist, public speaker, Indigenous social justice advocate, and land and water defender.
His talk will be immediately followed at 10:45 a.m. in KC 301 by a mini pow wow featuring traditional Indigenous drummers and dancers.
Finally, on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at noon, in room 227 of the HCC Campus Center, guest speaker Rock Paint will demonstrate smudging, a traditional Indigenous ceremony for purifying and cleansing the soul through the burning of herbs.
All on-campus events will also be available for viewing live over Zoom.
To register, please go to: hcc.edu/nahm
Everyone who registers in advance to attend the Nov. 17 in-person events will be eligible to win a free pair of Airpods.
