Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance

OPENING PROCLAMATION

Ramapo College of New Jersey is proud to recognize the month of November as Native American Heritage Month. Please see President Mercer’s Post at ramapo/edu/pres-post for the Opening Proclamation

*Below is a listing of virtual events planned for this month, along with recommended films, readings, art and webinars.

EVENTS

Native American Voting Rights Then and Now

Date: Tuesday, November 17
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: WebEx

You are invited to join the Andrew Goodman Foundation, the Vote Everywhere team and the Civic Engagement Center for Student Involvement in presenting a session on the history of suppression and the current state of voting rights for Indigenous citizens. Co-sponsored by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance.

A conversation with Chief Vincent Mann, Turtle Clan, Ramapough-Lenape Nation

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Webex -please check the Nov. 19th Daily Digest for the link

You are invited to join Professors Michael R. Edelstein and Chuck Stead in a virtual conversation with Chief Vincent Mann of the Turtle Clan, Ramapough-Lenape Nation.  Co-sponsored by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance.

Oppression vs. Appreciation- Investigating Practices that are Oppressive to Native American People

Date: Monday, November 24, 2020
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Webex – please check the Nov. 23rd Daily Digest for the link

Join the students of ANTH 223 World Cultures (Professor Neriko Doerr’s class) as they present via WebEx their works that investigate practices that are oppressive to Native American people–mascots for sports teams, fashion that appropriate Native American motifs, negative media depiction, etc.–in order to raise awareness and stop them.

FILMS

• American Native. Follow a group of mysterious mountain people as they fight for recognition as a legitimate Native American tribe 30 miles from Manhattan, NY.
• 2020 Native Cinema Showcase: The National Museum of the American Indian’s will continue its annual celebration of the best in Native files by presenting new films and favorite classics during the month of November. Please click on the link above for more information.
• PBS Film Series Featuring Indigenous Voices. Join PBS Broadcasting in celebrating Native American Heritage Month from November 2nd to November 24th.

ART

Native American Veterans Memorial
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2020, the American Indian Museum will host a virtual event to mark the completion of the National Native American Veterans Memorial.  The event will acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Native veterans and their families.  For more information, please see the following link: National Museum of the American Indian

WEBINARS

• November 12, 2020, 2-3 p.m.: Join Alexandra Harris, Senior Editor of the National Museum of the American Indian, and co-author of “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces”, in a virtual discussion about identity and the warrior stereotype of Native people serving in the military. For more information, see the following link: Conversation with “Why We Serve” Co-Author Harris
• November 18, 2020, 7-8 p.m.: Native Communities and the Vote: Teaching about American Indian Voting Rights through Documents. This Webinar is geared for educators who will engage in discussions about Native Communities and their evolving voting rights over time.  For more information, see the following link: National Archives Museum Online.
• November 19, 2020, 11-11:30 a.m.: Smithsonian Social Studies online: Native American Heritage Month. Join the National Museum of American History in an online exploration on Native American Heritage Month.  For more information, see the following link: Smithsonian Studies Online.

BOOKS

• “There There” by Tommy Orange. This novel grapples with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and profound spirituality, and with a plague of addiction, abuse, and suicide.
• “Code Talker” by Joseph Bruchac. This author brings the stories of the Navajo code talkers to life through the fictional tale of a 16-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker.  The code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort in the World War II conflict.
• “The Heartbeat of the Wounded Knee” by David Treuer. This novel is an intimate story of a resilient tribe in a transformative era.
• “As Long as Grass Grows” by Dina Gilio-Whitaker. Indigenous researcher and activist Dina Gilio-Whitaker explores the history of treaty violations, struggles for food and water security, and protection of sacred sites, while highlighting the important leadership of Indigenous women.

TED TALKS & ARTICLES

• The Standing Rock Resistance and Our Fight for Indigenous Rights
• We the People- the Three Most Misunderstood Words in U.S. History
• 13 Important Native Americans You Didn’t Learn About in School

Bias reporting and related resources are available here.