Just as snow begins to hit the ground, members of American Indian Student Leadership (A.I.S.L.) are in the final planning stages of their annual event, the Native American Cultural Festival.
“Anyone and everyone are invited (to the Festival), the community. Students and faculty, family and friends,” A.I.S.L. member Charleston Joe said.
The A.I.S.L.-sponsored event will be held Thursday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Events Center, at the SLCC Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
Planning of the Native American Cultural Festival has been underway since the beginning of fall semester, which is planned for November as part of American Indian Heritage Month.
A.I.S.L. members are excited about overall participation in the club and the club’s activities this year. “We have more people so (the event) is going more smoothly and we’re trying to plan ahead instead of last minute,” A.I.S.L. Vice President Taija Yazzie said.
One of the highlights of the Native American Cultural Festival will be flute presentation by adjunct faculty member, Dr. Bill Hughes.
“What I envision talking about is the role of the flute now. Most people go into the history. I wanted to go into the meditation, relaxation, and healing uses of the flute,” Hughes said.
Hughes teaches a class titled “Birth of a Flute” here at Salt Lake Community College on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His goal is to enlighten those attending his performance and demonstration.
“I hope they leave with a real interest in the flute. It isn’t just an ancient instrument. We can use it now. I hope it raises their interest up to take a class, listen to more flute music, just to value it more,” he said.
Hughes’ flutes were featured at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.
“I like how Bill’s excitement of communicating the culture through music fuels my interest in sharing our Native American culture,” mathematics major Charleston Joe said.
Members of the community will also be invited to view vendor booths showcasing Native American arts and crafts at the event. Jewelry, pottery and other art merchants will be on campus to give people an upclose look at cultural artistic displays.
Also taking part in the celebration is Food Services, who will be featuring a special item on the menu Thursday, Nov. 11. Navajo tacos will be served in collaboration with the Festival.
For more information about the Native American Cultural Festival and how to get involved with A.I.S.L. club activities, weekly meetings are held upstairs in the Student Involvement Center’s Meeting Room at the SLCC Taylorsville Redwood Campus every Thursday at 4:15 p.m.