Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 28, 2019
Volume 101 Issue 6
Cameron Celebrates
Indigenous People’s Day
“When I first read [the resolution], currently finishing a Master’s degree of CU-NASA to herself and to the I cried,” Tsatoke said. “I couldn’t in Indigenous Peoples’ Law at the university. She discussed how closeManaging Editor believe that someone would even put University of Oklahoma, and plans knit and familial the organization feels @YoureSoVanya that down on ink, on a piece of paper, to pursue a Juris Doctoral degree to to her. from Lawton, those words. It means a become a lawyer. “We like to laugh, we like to eat,” On Monday, Oct. 14, Cameron lot to me.” His speech focused on the Tsatoke said. “I think there’s been University invited students and After Tsatoke took a moment importance of higher education for maybe one or two meetings we’ve members of the surrounding between speeches to recognize Mrs. Native Americans. ever had where either Sissy [Erin] or I community to celebrate Indigenous Indian ASU Tashoni Morales, an “Getting my Bachelor’s degree didn’t cook for it.” People’s Day. honored guest at Cameron Indigenous really woke me up to the adversity The speaking portion of the event This was the second annual People’s day, the floor opened to we face,” Cooper said. “And all the ended with a brief speech and a prayer Cameron University Indigenous Dyami Thomas. statistics that are against us. Being a and cedaring ceremony led by retired People’s day celebration, and the Thomas, an actor, model, first generation scholar, I know that’s professor Lonnie Emhoolah. Cameron University Native American motivational speaker and certified huge.” The event closed with a meal hosted Students Association (CU-NASA) suicide prevention counselor, gave a After the speakers were finished, in the McMahon Centennial Complex’s largely organized the event. speech that focused on the struggles Tsatoke took to the podium for a final Buddy Green room, consisting of The celebration began on the Native Americans have faced since time to talk about the importance Posole, indian corn and frybread. western end of the Bentley Gardens European Colonization, and his with a series of speeches from hopes for a bright future for Native university representatives, as well as Americans. Native American guests from around “How you think about the next the country. seven generations, “Thomas said. Cameron President John McArthur “and how you make sure we are was the first person to speak, and here, and that we rise above 1%, briefly remarked on the importance of because that is what we make up of the event to the University. the population of this country, that “Indigenous People’s Day is yet starts with you, with us, meeting another reminder to us that ‘if we here today.” don’t know where we’ve been, it’s Thomas’ message was also one hard to know where we’re going,’” of thanks for the things given to McArthur said, “and we appreciate him, and to all the Native American this opportunity to learn from you, community members present, by to watch you, to follow you as you their ancestors. It was a message of continue to support students.” remembrance. Cameron University Vice President “I wouldn’t be here without my Jerrett Phillips was the second speaker ancestors’ sacrifices,” Thomas said. of the morning. His remarks focused “None of us would. Every step you on the importance of boosting Native take, every breath you take. Every American student enrollment for the morning you open your eyes, that’s University. your ancestors’ sacrifice. That’s “We want to make sure the students your ancestors’ prayers.” Tsatoke returned to the podium have a place to be at home,” Phillips said. “We want to make sure it’s a after Thomas spoke, to mention the place where students feel comfortable importance of his words to herself learning and sharing their success.” and to the community. After Phillips, CU-NASA Vice “It’s so hard for some of us to President Erin Singleton stepped to the see ourselves like that,” Tsatoke podium to read a resolution passed by said. “And part of that, like he said, Lawton Public Schools recognizing is that what happened before still the observance of Indigenous People’s lingers within us. We can’t help it, Photo by Stacie Larsen Day. but we can fight it.” Representation matters: CU-NASA president Fawn Tsatoke stands CU-NASA’s President, Fawn Durell Cooper was the speaker for a photo wearing a shirt representing missing and murdered indigenous Tsatoke, later spoke about how much following Thomas. women. CU-NASA works alongside organizations involved in activism for the statement affected her. Cooper is the vice chair for the indigenous women. Apache tribe of Oklahoma, and is
Payton Williams
What’s Inside
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