The summit's threefold purpose includes raising public awareness of the issue, providing a comfortable forum for Indian students to discuss their concerns, and developing a policy that representatives can take back to their campuses for implementation. The policy will aim to end the institutional use of offensive team names, symbols and mascots by colleges and universities nationwide. This summit is everyone's chance to come together and work together toward a positive outcome. The controversy regarding the use of offensive team names and mascots received international attention when the Chronicle of Higher Education, a prominent publication covering colleges and universities, featured it in its Feb. 23 issue. The summit will begin with a pipe ceremony at 9 a.m. on SCSU's Atwood Mall, followed by Speak-Out Panels featuring UND students, staff and faculty as well as Clyde Bellecourt, Vernon Bellecourt, Gary Cheeseman, Trish Cook and artist Oscar Arrendondo.
All events are free and everyone is welcome.
The center, established in 1993, offers educational, social, and cultural programming specific to American Indian students, as well as outreach activities for both Indian and non-Indian communities. The summit is sponsored by SCSU through the SCSU American Indian Center, Multicultural Student Services, and the Department of Human Relations and Multicultural Education. SCSU is located 70 miles northwest of the Twin Cities along the oak-crowned banks of the Mississippi River.