By KIMBERLY SMITH
The Native American Student Association(NASA) at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville is collaborating with the University “Pride of the Southland” Marching Band to host this year’s Native American Heritage Celebration Kick-off on Sept. 24-25. The Native American Student Association will be hosting several events to kick-off their celebrations of Native American Heritage in October.
On Friday, Sept. 24 at 6:30pm, they will be hosting a “Night with Natives” event, in which there will be several Native American Powwow dancers demonstrating and discussing some of the important aspects of Native culture.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, NASA and the Native performers will be participating in the traditional University Vol Walk and Band March, prior to the University of Tennessee vs University of Alabama – Birmingham football game. In addition to the pre-game celebrations, NASA will be collaborating with the University “Pride of the Southland” Marching Band to perform the Halftime show of the football game. The performance will include Native American Powwow dancers representing the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Seminole tribes.
The band will be playing the “Morning Song” written by Walela, followed by the performance of the Awohali drum group and the Native American Dancers. The Band will then conclude the show by playing the theme song from the movie Dances with Wolves.
The Native American Student Association is comprised of several EBCI tribal members including president Kimberly Smith, of the Yellowhill Community; treasurer Joey Owle, of the Birdtown community; secretary Kelsey Standingdeer, of the Painttown community; and member Nelson Lambert, of the Birdtown Community.
For more information visit https://web.utk.edu/~utaises. If interested in purchasing tickets to the game visit https://www.UTTIX.com
Kimberly is the president of the Native American Student Association at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
