ENMU packed with spring events for students, public

During April and May Eastern New Mexico University will offer a chance to sample a diversity of cultures through a series of events sponsored by the Multi-Cultural Affairs office.

A group of ENMU students and multi-cultural affairs directors are working to bring talents reflecting the different cultures of students. Talents such as drum-making by a Cochiti Pueblo tribe member, hoop dancing from a member of the Lakota Tribe, black gospel music, Latin American poetry and festivities for “Cinco de Mayo”. All of the events will take place on the ENMU campus.

“I would love to see all the possible involvement from ENMU and the community to attend all of the events,” Diana Cordova, director of multi-cultural affairs, said. “It is a great opportunity for everybody. The students put a lot of work into organizing the events. They are developing their leadership skills.”

Native-American Awareness Week from April 21-28 is a highlight of the events at ENMU. Utahna Livingston of the Native American Affairs office said the highlight of that week will be the performance of Jackie Bird, a hoop dancer.

Bird, who is from the Lakota Tribe in South Dakota, will be doing two performances on April 27. Bird’s first performance will be at 10 a.m. at Buchanan Hall at no cost. Bird, who uses four to five hoops, will also perform during a banquet at 5:30 p.m. The Native-American banquet will cost $15 per person.

“It is the biggest event for us,” Livingston said. “We scheduled the events so that it will allow students to go to Albuquerque for the “Gathering of the Nations”.”

The Gathering of the Nations is a gathering of many Native-American tribes and an entertaining Native-American festival.

Arnold Herrera will kickoff Native-American Awareness Week with a demonstration. Herrera will demonstrate how to construct a Cochiti drum and will talk about tribal ceremonies, clans and the role of men, women and children in Pueblo culture.

For more information on these events, contact the Native American Affairs office at 562-2470.

During the third annual International Affairs banquet on April 21, international college students will have a demonstration of a wedding ceremony from India, African drum performance and songs in their native language. Rosa Zamora of International Affairs said members from International Affairs come from China, Mexico, Africa, Canada, Europe, India and South America. The cost to attend the banquet is $15 per person.

Consuelo Luz will perform a “Tribute to Gabriela Mistral” at 1 p.m. on April 20 in the Becky Sharp Auditorium. Mistral was the first Latin American woman to receive the Nobel Prize. Luz, who lives in Santa Fe, is a Chilean-Cuban singer/songwriter. ENMU students from the Hispanic Affairs office can answer questions about the event at 562-2451.

On April 22, there will be gospel music at 7 p.m. in the Campus Union Ballroom. The gospel music will feature songs black slaves sang on plantations including work songs and songs from the Protestant hymns sung in churches. For more information people can call the African-American Affairs office.