New Mexico State University will celebrate American Indian Week March 17-22 with several activities to unite the campus community while showcasing Native American culture.

An opening ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, at Corbett Center Student Union's outdoor stage.

The event will feature a discussion about the week's events and an introduction to the United Native American Organization, a student organization that promotes cultural unity among Native Americans at NMSU. The current Miss Native American NMSU, Shaylyn Smith, will also speak.

From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, American Indian Program will host an Indian Taco Luncheon in the courtyard at the American Indian Student Center, east of Corbett Center.

Smith will then lead a country-music-themed dance from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in Corbett Center's third-floor ballrooms. The Desert Diamond from the Pueblo of Laguna will provide live music.

Smith will pass her crown to the next Miss Native American NMSU during a ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Corbett Center Student Union's second-floor auditorium.

The American Indian Week Arts and Crafts Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 21, in the first-floor lobby of Corbett Center Student Union. Hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, textiles and other artisanal items will be available for purchase.

The market will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the University Museum in Kent Hall. The week of events will culminate with a cultural dance performance by the Niiha Dance Group from the Pueblo of Zuni during the market.

NMSU's American Indian Week is a collaboration between the American Indian Program, the United Native American Organization, and the Office for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. All Aggies are welcome to join the events.

"We hope these events help bring people together to learn about some of the contemporary talents of our tribal communities," said Michael Ray, director of the American Indian Program. "The variety of dances, arts and crafts, and presentations by our Miss Native American NMSU contestants provide an insight into tribal communities that history books just can't do. We look forward to seeing community come together and enhance our sense of belonging on campus."

For more information about American Indian Week, visit https://aip.nmsu.edu or call 575-646-4207.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-to-celebrate-american-indian-week/s/72e772cb-e3c5-45bd-9153-ae0c8a8dc5b4