A TRIBE OF TERPS

Tribal drums echoed off the walls of the Nyumburu multi-purpose room in appreciation and celebration Saturday as Prince George's County Councilman Will Campos officially proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month.

The crowd, made up of students, faculty and community members who came from all over to attend the Pow Wow - an annual event that administrators said has gained recognition and grown in attendance since its inception four years ago - cheered and joined hands for a traditional circle dance to show unity.

In 1916, New York was the first state to recognize American Indians by declaring a heritage day for the commemoration and celebration of their culture. Many states have since followed suit, though Prince George's County has taken the matter into its own hands by issuing an official proclamation declaring November as Native American Heritage Month.

Dottie Bass, the assistant director for outreach and programming at the Office of Multiethnic Student Education, has been in charge of the annual on-campus Pow Wow since the tradition began, and said even with the recognition of an official heritage month, the event is just as important now as it was before.

"[OMSE] is very passionate about having students feel welcome on this campus," Bass said. "We want to make sure that no matter how small a population they are, they can see their culture and values being appreciated."

According to university census data, 0.4 percent of undergraduates are American Indian, making them the smallest recognized minority group on the campus.

Students who fit this demographic said being such a minority is often frustrating, and events such as the Pow Wow are necessary to show the visibility and recognition they feel is lacking throughout much of the rest of the year.

"People think that we're all off hiding on a reservation somewhere," said senior anthropology major and member of the Meherrin nation Erika Archer. "But we're not. We're right here, going to school with you every day. It's so important to show them that, and have events like this so they know what we're about."

Student groups such as the American Indian Student Union, which was reformed the same year the Pow Wow event began, attempt to reach out to students, but group president Dustin Tyee Richardson said due to limited resources, the impact they can have is often a small one.

"We're a very, very small population on this campus," Richardson said. "There may not be that much culture, there may not be that many students, but there are still many, many issues that face our people. ... And it is very difficult for students nowadays who are mixed to understand this, because you're always getting information secondhand, from teachers or textbooks."

Pow Wows have traditionally served to bring American Indians from all tribes together for an inter-tribal gathering where they could meet, socialize and celebrate. But many said it is imperative that members of other cultural groups also attend these events.

"When even in 2008 you're still considered an outsider, something has got to change," said Jay Winter Nightwolf, an American Indian radio personality who attends Pow Wows all over the region to connect with other members of the community. "We all have to take care of each other."

Campos said the Prince George's County Council felt it was necessary to support officiating Native American Heritage Month because it is a county where minorities are the majority and hence understands the importance of diversity.

"It is only right, especially in Prince George's County, which is a predominantly minority county, that we present this proclamation today," he added. "Having all different backgrounds and cultures recognized and represented is really something everyone should try to achieve. It's one of [Prince George's County's] greatest strengths."

langdbk@gmail.com