“Sunder” dedication to cap celebration of Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana

Members of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana will join the Hanover College campus community for a day of educational activities and celebration, Friday, May 5.

Public activities will feature the dedication of “Sunder,” a unique piece of environmental art created by Hanover students last fall, and also include two opportunities to witness a traditional drumming circle with authentic stories.

The dedication ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. at the Science Center. The event will include comments from Hanover President Lake Lambert, members of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana, as well as Rick Lostutter, associate professor of art and design, Mathew Gaddie, visiting assistant professor of art and design, and students involved with the project.

A ceremonial drumming circle will be held twice during the day. The sessions, which include Miami Nation stories and conversations, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Withrow Activities Center within the J. Graham Brown Campus Center.

These events are open to the public, free of charge.

In addition to the public events, Hanover students will benefit from in-class visits from current Miami Nation leaders. Vice Chief John Dunnagan and Councilwoman Sarah Siders Bitzel will participate in various classroom visits throughout the day.

Author Stewart Rafert will be on campus, Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, to participate in classroom discussions and associated events. Rafert’s work, “The Miami Indians of Indiana: A Persistent People, 1654-1994,” has been the focal point of a three-month-long book club for Hanover alumni and members of the community.

The College’s tribute to the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana acknowledges and honors the people who once resided on Midwestern lands, including Hanover’s campus. The Miami Nation has a long history in the Hoosier State, residing on Indiana soil for more than 300 years. Today, the Miami Nation of Indiana operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and strives to preserve its culture, language, heritage, community and regain its federal recognition.

The campus events are sponsored by the Hanover College Racial Justice and Equity Committee, Art and Design Department and Communication Department, with additional support from the Hanover Enrichment Series.