As we celebrate Native Heritage Month, Campus Enterprises has made significant efforts to partner with local Indigenous communities to promote their culture and traditions in unique ways. By providing food, signage, and space arrangements, the dining halls and student centers have made a substantial contribution to the recognition and celebration of North Carolina’s eight recognized tribes – Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan. This remarkable effort sets a positive example for all communities to follow.
NC State’s dining halls have committed to helping various organizations on campus promote their communal values through meals. Recently, members of North Carolina’s Indigenous communities expressed interest in introducing dishes at the dining halls and welcomed the use of an NC State Land Acknowledgement. They led the effort by creating recipes, designing signage, and decorating the halls with elements that represent their culture and heritage. The goal was to expose students from all corners of the campus to the rich history and heritage of the Indigenous community.
Campus executive chef Yolanda Santiago expressed that sharing cultures through food in the dining halls is a top priority. As she puts it, “Food tells our stories.” Santiago is dedicated to working closely with student organizations to bring diverse culinary experiences to campus. NC State Dining aims to use its facilities as educational platforms, fostering a sense of community among different campus organizations. Additionally, the Global Affairs Department works with the dining halls to align student organizations for collaboration and additional events.
The NC State Student Centers have also taken steps to ensure that different communities feel welcome and connected on such a large campus. Kyle Levine, the production manager for Student Centers, explained that the goal of the department is to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all clients and patrons. This includes providing space for students of minoritized communities to connect with others who share their identity and for all students to feel a sense of belonging.
By providing space for departments like Multicultural Student Affairs and being connected with the Indigenous communities on campus, the Student Centers provide a space for these student groups, campus departments, and external organizations to host their events and activities in a public and accommodating environment. Several significant events and meetings take place to celebrate and recognize Indigenous communities, including the powwow organized by the NC Native American Youth Organization, the NC State Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and lecture, meetings for the American Indian Advisory Committee, and the Native Heritage Month Kickoff. These events provide a platform for Indigenous communities to share their culture and be heard. It is essential to recognize the importance of these events and their role in promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate and honor the rich traditions and flavors that Indigenous communities have passed down to us. From vibrant celebrations to mouth-watering cuisine, we have so much to be grateful for and continue cherishing.