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| 11/14/2006 8:27:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Area Indian culture focus of talk
Melissa Rice
Assistant Editor
Those with an interest in Washington County's past will have a unique opportunity this Friday.
To help celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month, the Washington County Historical Association and Too Far North in Fort Calhoun will host a talk focusing on the American Indian culture of this area. The event, slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, will be hosted at Too Far North, 111 N. 14th, Fort Calhoun.
Featured speakers will be Cathi Warren and Dr. Beth Ritter of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with music provided by Michael Murphy. The event marks the culmination of several special events held by the association during November.
Warren, who holds a master's degree in history and a minor in Native American studies, will discuss Omaha Indian land cession. Ritter, who was one of the anthropologists involved in the restoration of the Ponca tribe in 1990, will focus on the Poncas for her talk.
"This event brings two important aspects of Washington County's history and culture together," explained Tony Pasley, executive director of the WCHA. "First, it introduces people to the aboriginal heritage of the area, which is often forgotten. American Indians have been here for thousands of years, yet we only acknowledge them as relics of the past. Both speakers will present important information on the history of tribes in the area, and their present situation in today's every-changing world."
Both Warren and Ritter work at UNO. Warren is the recruitment and retention coordinator for American Indian students in the university's multi-cultural affairs department. Ritter is with UNO's anthropology department, and has recently taken the title of director for Native American studies.
"Second, the event introduces people to the wine-growing culture of Washington County and Nebraska that almost everyone in the nation is ignorant of. Nebraska produces some very unique and rich grapes, along with wine, and this event allows for people to gather information concerning two different, but important aspects of life in the county."
The talk is free, and beverages are available for purchase. Pasley noted the event will culminate with American Indian flute music provided by Michael Murphy.
"This particular type of music is quite relaxing," said Pasley. "He is our last performer for the evening, so people can feel free to stay for a while and relax."
Pasley said the association is tentatively planning another "WCHAT" (Washington County Historical Association Talk) in early 2007. Although plans are not finalized, he anticipates the topic will focus on frontier troops and fortifications.
The collaboration between the association and Too Far North offers a great opportunity for people to appreciate the cultural aspects of the county. Pasley has been working with Sandy Kucera, owner of Too Far North, to develop the event.
"Both of us felt it was very important to work together so we could promote just a few of the wonderful events that happen in Washington County."
For more information, contact the WCHA at 468-5740, or Too Far North at 468-9463.
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