Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is set to celebrate American Indian Week from March 17-22, featuring various activities aimed at uniting the campus community and highlighting Native American culture.
The celebration will commence with an opening ceremony on Monday, March 17, at 11 a.m. at Corbett Center Student Union's outdoor stage. The event will include a discussion about the week's events and an introduction to the United Native American Organization, a student group that promotes cultural unity among Native Americans at NMSU. Shaylyn Smith, the current Miss Native American NMSU, will also address attendees.
On Wednesday, March 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the American Indian Program will host an Indian Taco Luncheon in the courtyard of the American Indian Student Center located east of Corbett Center.
Shaylyn Smith will lead a country-music-themed dance on Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Corbett Center’s third-floor ballrooms with live music provided by The Desert Diamond from the Pueblo of Laguna.
A ceremony where Smith will pass her crown to the next Miss Native American NMSU is scheduled for Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Corbett Center Student Union’s second-floor auditorium.
An Arts and Crafts Market showcasing hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, textiles, and other artisanal items will take place on Friday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the first-floor lobby of Corbett Center Student Union. This market continues on Saturday, March 22, at Kent Hall's University Museum during which there will be a cultural dance performance by the Niiha Dance Group from the Pueblo of Zuni.
American Indian Week at NMSU is organized collaboratively by the American Indian Program, United Native American Organization, and Office for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. The university invites all Aggies to participate in these events.
Michael Ray, director of the American Indian Program stated: “We hope these events help bring people together to learn about some of the contemporary talents of our tribal communities.” He further added that “the variety of dances, arts and crafts presentations by our Miss Native American NMSU contestants provide an insight into tribal communities that history books just can’t do.”
For more details regarding American Indian Week activities or inquiries call 575-646-4207 or visit https://aip.nmsu.edu.
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