November is Native American Heritage Month across the country as a way to honor and preserve the Native American culture. In recognition of this, Mendocino College will host their annual Native American Heritage Celebration in the Lowery Student Center at the Ukiah campus on Thursday, November 14 from 4 pm to 7 pm.

This free event is open to the public so bring your family and friends to an entertaining evening of traditional Native dancing by Shokawah Ke, crafts, games, and cultural activities, which will include a display of historical artifacts and photos that provide a history of the culture of Mendocino and Lake County tribes. Free Indian tacos will also be served. 

The event will begin with a traditional Native American blessing and welcome, followed by a keynote address from Sonny J. Elliott Sr., Chairman of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, who will speak to the importance of education in the tribal community.

Cultural activities, games, and information tables hosted by local Native community members, elders, and leaders will include a coloring Pomo language table, traditional stick games, traditional Pomo basket weaving, traditional tule duck and doll making, traditional clacker making, and lessons about the history of Native American tribes of Mendocino County and how to gather and prepare traditional food of the California Natives.

The Ukiah campus of Mendocino College is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah, CA  95482.  For more information about the event, contact the Native American Student Resource Center at 707.468.3000 ext. 4603.