The annual American Indian Heritage celebration at Virginia Tech is Monday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 15. The theme for this year is "Virginia Indians: past, present, and future."

The featured event for American Indian Heritage month is called “Who owns the past? Virginia Indians Today and Yesterday” and will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Colonial Hall on the second floor of the Squires Student Center. This will be a presentation given by Karenne Wood, director of the Virginia Indian Heritage program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Wood formerly worked for the Association of American Indian Affairs and the National Museum of the American Indian. She regularly addresses topics regarding American Indian heritage including Monacan history, Virginia Indian history, and stereotypes and misconceptions created through the construction of American Indian history. This event is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services and is free and open to the public.

In addition, the month-long celebration will also include films, a discussion series, speakers, and art displays. For a full list of American Indian Heritage month activities, visit the Multicultural Programs and Services website or call Kristen Houston at (540) 231-8584. Activities and events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

Free parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street, or the Shultz Hall Lot, located off Alumni Drive near the North Main Street campus entrance. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.

Written by Melanie Harris of Hampton, Va. Harris is a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

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