Date:                21 October 2009

Contact:           Leslie Stevenson                                  Laurel Bauer

                        Office of Multicultural Affairs            Media Relations                      

                        513-745-3181                                      513-745-3240

Xavier Presents Guy Jones for Native American Month

Activist to discuss “Beyond being Indian”

Guy Jones will speak at Xavier’s Native American History Month program on Tuesday, November 10, from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Gallagher Student Center Theatre on “Beyond being Indian.” His presentation is free and open to the public.

From the beginning of America's history, the culture and the identity of the original people of the Americas have been told us by those far from the reality.  These original people have become American Indians, Native Americans and just Indians. History books, myths and legends, Hollywood, sports mascots, wannabes, and imitators have led to a myriad of misconceptions about America's first nation people. Share in the journey, become a part of the struggle, recognize the realities, and walk to a better day.  

Guy Jones (Wakuwa la) is a Hunkpapa Lakota and full-blood member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He co-founded The Miami Valley Council for Native Americans, a cultural and educational organization and has devoted his life to the sharing knowledge and promoting healing and respect for American Indians. Jones’s messages affect both non-Indians looking to learn American Indian customs and beliefs and today’s generation of American Indian youth searching for their roots.  He and Sally Moomaw (of the University of Cincinnati) co-authored “Lessons from Turtle Island,” which encourages greater understanding of cultural traditions and their integration into classroom activities.

Jones’ presentation is in addition to these previously-announced events:

October 30 through November 6: exhibit in the Gallagher Student Center stairwell on consequences of your vote on November’s Ohio casino ballot issue. Open to the public 24/7 and free of charge.

November 6: First Friday Fellowship with Xavier director of photography Greg Rust and his daughter, Xavier sophomore Erin Rust, speaking about their participation in Native American issues. They will present from 3:00 – 3:30 pm in room 280 of the Gallagher Student Center. From 3:30-5:00, “Pow-Wow Highway” will be shown with a meal. The event is free and open to the public.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation.  U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 3 among master’s-level universities in the Midwest, and The Princeton Review names it as one of the “Best 371 Colleges in America.”

Tekeia N. K. Howard

Associate Director

Multicultural Affairs

513-745-1029

Howardt@Xavier.edu