MSU’s Native American Institute is hosting an inaugural two-night event honoring Native American Veterans and Tribal Leaders from around the state at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Red Cedar Room at the Kellogg Center, and at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Wharton Center.
The first night consists of a listening session where Native American veterans will have the opportunity to share their experiences with other veterans. The session will also give them chance to make recommendations and present ideas for future programs aimed at helping veterans transition to civilian life.
The second night will feature two lectures. The first will cover Herman Viola’s work on American Indian veterans, titled “Warriors in Uniform: The Legacy of American Indian Heroism.” Viola is a curator emeritus at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
The next lecture focuses on the legacy of Charles Bird King and his influence on the modern artistic portrayal of Native Americans. King was a portrait artist best known for his realistic portrayals of important Native American leaders and tribesman.
Earlier this year, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency recognized MSU as a veterans-friendly campus at gold-level status. MSU has always had extensive outreach and support programs aimed at assisting student veterans, but this event marks the first with a primary focus on Native American veterans.
“Native Americans have always had the largest amount of people enlist in the military per capita,” said John Norder, interim director for the MSU Native American Institute. “It’s important they receive the help they need in order to transition into meaningful civilian life.”
According to Norder, Native American veterans are underserved in many parts of the nation as a whole. Tribal groups often have their own programming to help veterans, but the upcoming two-night event through MSU is a first for many.
“Even with our existing veteran friendly status, this event is something new for the university and those who will be attending,” Norder said. “This is the first time an institution the size of Michigan State has reached out to Native American veterans and offered support on such a large scale.”
With such a great support network for veterans already in place, this is something MSU and the Native American Institute hope to grow on an annual basis, according to Norder.
To learn more about the event and other initiatives by MSU to assist Native Americans, visit the Native American Institute website.