2007 "Indian Country" Slated At CWU

March 6, 2007

Ellensburg, Wash. - For generations, women from Native American tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest have made significant contributions through basketry, textiles and traditional dress.

Those contributions will be honored during Central Washington University's 2007 "Indian Country" presentation "Common Threads: Uncommon Stories." Under the subtitle "A Celebration of Tribal Women from Washington State," the free, public presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m. in the Student Union and Recreation Center Ballroom on the Ellensburg campus.

"One representative from each of Washington's 29 tribes and the Umatilla tribe from Oregon has been invited to participate in a regalia/traditional dress show," says Emily Washines, CWU's Native American liaison. "We will also have a poster session that will provide significant historical, cultural and current facts about each of those tribes."

President Jerilyn S. McIntyre will officially welcome the participants and those in attendance, who will include the members of the Colville, Yakima and Umatilla tribes who serve on the President's Native American Indian Advisory Council.

CWU graduate student Delphine Tsinajinnie, a member of the Navajo tribe, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.

The event is sponsored by the CWU Native American Student Association (NASA) Foundation, College of Arts and Humanities, President's Diversity Council, Diversity Education Center, Equity and Services Council and the university's Diversity Training Initiative.

This is the fifth year that university students, faculty and staff have planned Native American Awareness "Indian Country" events for members of the campus and university communities.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call 509-963-1685, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD 509-963-2143.

Contact: Emily Washines (509-963-3065/fax 509-963-3022/e-mail: washines@cwu.edu)