Kady Bell
Arts Editor

Splashes of red, green, yellow and orange paint signified a small but noteworthy tribute to Native Americans, as Ashley Joseph, multicultural events committee chair of the Campus Activities Board, and Keisha Clay, a sophomore communications major, began brushing the words “Remember our People” on to the Rock on Nov. 8.

Demonstrating team work in commemoration of American Indian Heritage Month, first established on Aug. 3, 1990, Clay made sure “native” was correctly spelled while Joseph discussed the importance of honoring the country’s first inhabitants. Though the Native-American population averages a low .002 percent on the University of La Verne campus itself, many people have tribal ancestral links, Joseph said.

“I figured we needed something to celebrate our Native- American ancestors because no one ever does anything for this month,” Joseph said.

Arrow-shaped symbols, interpreted to mean guidance, bright prospects, friendship and strength, were also carefully stroked onto the Rock’s blank canvas.

Already serving a double purpose of bringing good tidings to the ULV community, while teaching passersby a thing or two about Native-American ancestry, the triangular signs also emphasized commonly shared values associated with the month of Thanksgiving.

“The symbols represent their history as a people,” Clay said. “They probably used symbols instead of words to communicate within tribes a lot of the time and it brings a little extra something to the painting.”

“Native American History Month” was written onto the Rock in blood red, representing the Trail of Tears, along with such tribe names as the Kaw and the Sae, collectively acknowledging the people’s largely documented struggle.

Joseph said it was important to honor Native Americans for their contributions to history, something that is rarely done in lieu of larger cultural events such as Latino Heritage and Black History month.

The celebration, which became a month-long event with a proclamation issued by President George H. W. Bush, includes American Indians, Alaskan natives and native Hawaiians, highlighting the lasting presence and culture of each nationality.

Contributions listed in the document included creating the knowledge that people could flourish while remaining true to American soil and developing the beginnings of the country’s diverse melting pot.

Clay, who was excited to participate in her first Rock painting, sort of a La Verne milestone, said she had only recently learned of the month-long holiday.

“Who knew they had a whole month,” she said. “It’s important to celebrate because the Native Americans are a forgotten group of people in our history; not enough people take the time to recognize the contributions they made to society.”

Kady Bell can be reached at rzezna65@yahoo.com.