Native American Cultural Exhibition, honors past, embraces future
Despite having to be moved indoors due to effects of Hurricane Nicole, the 2nd Annual Native American Cultural Exhibition went off without a hitch.
RCC students, faculty, and staff along with students from the Columbus Charter School and students from the Public Schools of Robeson County enjoyed a day immersed with Native American traditions and culture.
Melissa Singler, President of RCC served as the master of ceremony during the event.
“This is a wonderful exhibition that brings together our students and community members from all backgrounds and walks of life,” stated Singler. “It’s important to remember the past and to celebrate the future as we seek to continue to educate the next generation about Native American history.”
The event featured motivational guest speakers and moments of storytelling.
“The month of November is a time for us to honor our ancestors, celebrate the contributions of the First Americans… and also for everyone to acknowledge that we are still here,” Dr. Connie Locklear, the director of Indian Education Program at the Public Schools of Robeson County, told students.
“Sometimes we get asked that question of ‘Are we still here?’ and yes, we are still here,” Locklear said as a round of applause erupted in the auditorium.
Locklear shared her testimony with students. She was the first person to go to college in her family and she was the first person in her family to receive an advanced degree.
“You can go anywhere you choose to be,” Locklear said during her charge to students.
“You have to work hard, you have to have some grit about you,” Locklear stated. “Sometimes things are not going to come the way you want them to.”
“Sometimes you are sitting in that classroom and that math problem is just not coming to you, or you’re sitting in that classroom and you just want to give up, but I want to tell you, I want to encourage you to fight… you can do it. I did it and so can you,” Locklear said.
The audience enjoyed song and dance performances by Senior Ms. Lumbee, Miss Indian North Carolina, Miss NCAYO, Tobacco Road Southern Drum, Steven Strickland, and local Lumbee Artist Rob Cole. The Lumbee Ambassadors also gathered on stage, singing songs of praise, performing a powwow dance, and had an opportunity to speak about their platform.
Myia Reyes from the American Indian Heritage Center at UNCP, also spoke and encouraged the audience to connect with each other, to share Indigenous culture and history, and to advocate for each other through community.
“It’s important to honor your heritage every day, not just once a year,” stated Reyes. “Our ancestors sacrificed and fought for the things we can freely do today.”
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