Lone Star College-Montgomery celebrates Native American Heritage Month with monument

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The United States of America recognizes November as Native American Heritage Month to honor the rich history and contributions of Native Americans.

“November heralds a season of celebration, recognition and the month when we honor Native American Heritage,” said Carlecia Wright, LSC chief culture and engagement officer. “Lone Star College delves into and values the deep-seated traditions and significant impacts of Native Americans on our community through various educational enrichment events.”

Lone Star College-Montgomery Office of Culture and Engagement will continue the celebration with its Monument Unveiling Ceremony and Reception on Nov. 29 at noon in the Garden Area between Buildings E and F.

“Lone Star College-Montgomery offers educational opportunities that teach, learn and celebrate diverse groups that reflect our growing community,” said De’ Reese Reid-Hart, Ed.D., LSC-Montgomery president. “We invite everyone to join us as we recognize the rich history and traditions of Native Americans who paved the way for the college’s existence through reflection and celebration.”

The LSC-Montgomery Monument Ceremony and Unveiling Reception is part of the college’s Native American Heritage Month Series. “Our Stories. Our Nations.” The Land Acknowledgment Monument is a collaboration between the LSC-Montgomery Multidisciplinary Native American Employee Resource Group and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in Livingston, Texas. The purpose is to honor all Native American people, particularly the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, who inhabited the land where LSC-Montgomery sits.

"We hope this event will mark the beginning of a long-lasting partnership with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe,” said Kerri Steen, LSC-Montgomery lead of the Native American Employee Resource Group. “Through this partnership, we hope to share knowledge, resources and experiences that will benefit both Lone Star College-Montgomery and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.”

LSC-Montgomery’s land monument is a native Texas Moss Rock boulder with a metal solar cross in a circle, which is one of the most sacred symbols of Native Americans that represents the sun, moon and fire. Robby Wood, LSC-Montgomery art professor, designed the cross and Anthony Bess, LSC-Montgomery welding professor, created it.

The college will host members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Council and community who have been key in developing this significant project. After the unveiling ceremony, tribal members will provide a glimpse into Alabama-Coushatta culture through a dance and drumming performance in the college’s Maverick Conference Center.

“The importance of honoring Native people runs deeper than this one month of celebration and reflection,” said Yolanda Lopez, Ed.D., LSC-Montgomery culture impact manager. “We have been working on creating strong relationships across campus and with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to ensure we foster spaces of open dialogue, understanding and collaboration that are sustainable, mutually beneficial and long-lasting.”

Visit LoneStar.edu/Culture-Montgomery for more information on LSC-Montgomery’s Monument Unveiling Ceremony and Reception or other Office of Culture and Engagement campus events. Learn more about the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas at Alabama-Coushatta.com.