UI Native American students celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Ike Martinez, a University of Idaho sophomore and member of the Spokane Tribe, said he finds it ironic Native American Heritage Month directly follows Halloween.
“There are always people who dress up as Indians for Halloween,” Martinez said. “While that doesn’t necessarily bother me all the time, a lot of the time those people demoralize and degrade something that my people have fought for, for many years.”
Martinez grew up on a reservation in Wellpinit, Washington, and attended UI to pursue a degree in animal science with an emphasis in production. He said November is a month for Native Americans to be thankful and take pride in their cultural survival.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American Heritage Month is for the nation to appreciate the traditions and culture of the first Americans and remember the tragedies they endured in the colonial period and beyond.
The UI Native American Student Center will celebrate its roots all month long with events and celebrations such as presentations, a “Rock Your Mocs” social and a cultural exhibition that gives attendees a glimpse into Native American foods, dance and pow wows.
The center hosted a kickoff to the month Monday in the UI Commons. Speakers included students, as well as faculty, who spoke about their experiences as Native Americans in today’s society. The student Native American drum group, Vandal Nation Singers, performed in the food court where onlookers crowded around.
For Martinez, tribal identity plays a major role in his life and November is just a reminder of the values he holds close year-round.
“For my people, community is very important,” he said. “When something happens everyone is there to be there for you and you don’t have to be alone. At times it’s difficult to be away from that home, but the Native American Student Center has been helpful because there are other students there from a similar background with the same experiences.”
Martinez said there are many Native American students at UI who plan on celebrating the month, such as UI student Bethany Guzman, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe who is studying environmental science.
Guzman said her tribe’s traditional values have influences her life and college career.
“The reason why I’m studying environmental science is because growing up I was always outdoors,” she said. “In the summer I’d fish with my father, siblings and aunts and uncles. We’d pick berries and other edible plants. We’d also set tipi poles. The environment is so important to my people.”
Guzman said Native American Heritage Month strengthens the relationship between Native Americans and non-Indians, and breaks down misconceptions and stereotypes. She said she still feels there is a disconnect between her people and the general population.
“I feel that a lot of people think of Native Americans in a derogatory way,” Guzman said. “I think it is a good thing for people to find out the truth about us … We are able to say ‘We’re still here’ and receive recognition without the disrespect.”
Like many Native Americans, Guzman said she has experienced disrespect from non-Indians.
“As someone who lived off the reservation and went to a non-reservation school, there were a lot of kids at school who point jokes at me about stupid, rude things like poverty on the reservation and among my people,” she said.
However, she did not let those comments stop her from taking pride in her heritage.
“One of the best things about being able to say ‘I’m a Nez Perce and a Native American,’ is being able to know where I come from and what my background is. I can look back and say ‘This is my culture,'” she said. “I practice things that my ancestors have practiced. I don’t know it all but what I do know means so much to me. It is something that I love and enjoy.”
Martinez said Native Americans are more populous than most initially think, and the month is a great way to learn about the culture and traditions of so many people in the region.
“Anywhere you go, especially in the Northwest, there are Indian peoples who are alive and well,” he said.
Shannon Kelly can be reached at [email protected]