October 26, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A traditional Lakota tipi will be constructed on the Illinois Wesleyan University Robert S. Eckley Quadrangle on Wednesday, November 3, as part of a day of teaching and learning in conjunction with Native American Heritage Month.
Events will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the program called Sights and Sounds of the Lakota: Interactive Teachings on the Life of the Plains. Participants will take part in the raising of traditional tipi, learning about the medicine wheel and understanding sacred pipe traditions. The day will end with Spirit of the Rainbow Drum & Dancers, a Native American dance troupe that will perform from 4-5 p.m.
The events are free and open to the public.
The schedule includes:
• 11 a.m. – Teachings on Native American celebrations in Evelyn Chapel (1301 N. Park St., Bloomington).
• Noon-2 p.m. – Tipi set-up and preparation (on the Quad)
• 2-4 p.m. – Teachings on Native American life, including the medicine wheel, life in a Lakota tipi and sacred pipe traditions (on the Quad)
• 4-5 p.m. Spirit of the Rainbow Drum & Dancers (on the Quad)
For further information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at (309) 556-3412.
Contact: Rachel Hatch, (309) 556-3960