Native American Heritage Celebration
National Park College (NPC) welcomed Steven Scissortail Morales of the Cherokee and
Sioux Nation, and Roger Phelan of the Cherokee Nation, Friday, November 20 for the
Native American Heritage Celebration. Morales and Phelan brought artifacts such as
weapons, hand-woven baskets, garments, jewelry, and music to share with attendees.
The event was held in the Student Commons conference room on campus. Morales performed
songs in Cherokee and Sioux languages, played the flute and drummed while Phelan described
artifacts on display. Phelan presented the Cherokee flag and explained the meaning
of each image and color represented on the flag.
Morales and Phelan hope to raise awareness of America’s first inhabitants and the
ways they lived in the past and how they live today. Their presentation brought a
newfound knowledge of America’s natives, as well as traditionally acknowledged information.
Attendees were able to ask questions and received an inside look at the Cherokee,
Sioux, and Lakota cultures. Morales encouraged attendees to research their lineage
through the American Indian Resource Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Morales and Phelan
also encouraged attendees to learn more about the native people.
Morales touched on the racism that Native Americans have faced and still experience
in some areas. When asked how the public could help Morales stated, “Everything we
do is going to come full circle. All we want is a clear understanding of no more racism.
Institutionalized racism is not just what other people did, it is also what our own
people did. You get stuck in a rut because you don’t know how to advance yourself,
because when you advance you get kicked back down…We have to go forward not living
in the past but realizing what we do today is what is going to make tomorrow.”
Morales and Phelan closed the event with a song and dance that all attendees were
invited to join.
