Welcome continued....

Peace Tree Prayer Tie

We were honored that Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota) gave this fall s Peace Studies Lecture (October 16th) and presided at the annual Peace Tree Ceremony (October 17th). Chief Arvol Looking Horse is the19th-Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe for the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people and founder of World Peace and Prayer Day. Hundreds of people heard Chief Looking Horse and Paula Horne-Mullen (Dakota) speak during their visit to WVU.

Joe Candillo

I am also pleased to welcome several new members to our NAS faculty committee. Joe Candillo, a member of the Pascua Yaqui Indian Tribe of Arizona, joins our faculty this fall to teach our introductory course in Native American Studies. He brings a wealth of experiences and an academic background in anthropology and American Indian Studies to our program.

I also welcome Dr. Tyler Boulware to campus as a new assistant professor of history--his doctoral research centers on the Cherokee and nation building. His 17th- and 18th-Century Colonial America courses will help acquaint students with the important historic role of America’s indigenous peoples. In addition, our NAS alumnus, Travis Henline, (pictured below) returns to WVU to offer a new course on Eastern Woodland Indians in the Spring 2007 term. Travis coordinated the American Indian Initiative and managed public history development for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation before returning to his home state this year. His academic background is in history, anthropology, and Native American Studies. Dr. Sebstian Diaz has also joined our faculty committee. Dr. Diaz (Ph.D., J.D.), an assistant professor in the College of Human Resources and Education, has recently worked with Native American advocacy groups in Kellogg Foundation projects.

NAS lecturer Travis Henline (in black hat) WVU '99, takes part in a reenactment at Colonial Williamsburg with a delegation of Cherokee men. From left: Sonny Ledford, John Grant, Jr., Travis Henline, Daniel Tramper, Bo Taylor, Ty Occum, and Bullet Standing Deer

There are many ways to get involved in Native American Studies at WVU. Explore our website, register for a class, keep an eye on our events calendar, attend our undergraduate and faculty research colloquia, and learn about our program’s rich history and ongoing educational mission. Peruse the WVU Libraries’ Native American Studies collection, including the many films now available. Our faculty and students are active in innovative international cultural and educational exchanges, and in global service learning projects involving indigenous peoples.

Please contact our office to learn how Native American Studies can enrich your university experience.

Bonnie M. Brown, Coordinator