Multicultural Programming
Native American Day South Dakota is one of only 2 states to have a statewide Native American Day. SDSM&T celebrated by taking the Hardrockers football team and other staff to Crazy Horse Memorial to learn more about Native culture and witness a blast on the mountain October 13, 2008.
American Indian Heritage Month November is designated nationally as American Indian Heritage Month. OMA helps the campus recognize the contributions of Native culture to the richness of life today. Through a variety of forms awarness is raised concerning the history, culture, contributions, and current issues related to American Indians, especially in higher education.
Black History Month The history and contributions of Blacks in our nation are given a spotlight especially in February. OMA collaborates to sponsor guest speakers,artists, poster displays and other venues to celebrate Black History Month.
Cinco de Mayo Used in the states as the day to celebrate Hispanic/Latino/a cultures, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. SDSM&T OMA/SALC/IIC programs collaborate to celebrate fiesta style with music, dancing, piñatas, prizes and Mexican food.
- Cinco de Mayo - 2009 ppt
Guest Speakers OMA in conjunction with student groups and academic departments on campus brings in speakers with presentations relevant to enhancing the multicultural mindedness of the campus and community. Below are two of the presentors offered in 2008 - 2009.
- Ted Hamilton As a historian and executive director of the Oceti Sakowin Educaiton Consortium, Mr. Hamilton brings unique insight to the relationship between American Indian tribes and the U.S. Government. This topic was explored in a presentation entitled: This is not Our First Economic Bailout: Removing Tribes from the Great Plains, hosted by HIST498 (Van Nuys), AISES & OMA.
- Keith Moore Keith Moore, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe is the director of Indian Education for the South Dakota Department of Education. Keith was hosted by IEN431 (Kerk), AISES & OMA to bring information regarding The SD Indian Education Act of 2007 & its Potential Impact on Higher Education. Besides this significant topic, Keith brought mindful insight to the challenges, successes and future goals of educaton for American Indians in South Dakota.
Office of Multicultural Affairs Friday Luncheon Speakers An opportunity for students from under-represented populations to network, dialogue and offer support, Friday lunch is offered each week. Oftentimes community professionals are brought in to explain their jobs, diverse hiring practices of various corporations, and the opportunties in engineering or science. Other guests are invited to help enhance the preservation and appreciation of cultures.
- Don Montileaux Oglala Lakota ledger artist gave the history of ledger art, its role in culture and his personal story of becoming one of the most well-known Native artists of the Great Plains region alive today.
- Joel Hart Native American business professional with Black Hills Power spoke to the students about the challenges and opportunties for American Indians in corporate America.
- Geraldine Goes In Center As an Oglala Lakota dietary expert, Goes In Center gave a presentation (and samples!) of traditional Lakota foods and their health benefits, along with some history of Lakota pre and post-colonial lifestyle.
