Native American Heritage Month

• Monday, Nov. 1
• Tuesday, Nov. 9
• Friday, Nov. 12
• Monday Nov. 15

Do it yourself:

• Learn how to make Fried Bread and Indian Tacos

Monday, Nov. 1

Native American Heritage Month Kickoff

12-1 P.M. | MBSC Atrium & Office of Multicultural Affairs, Room 112

Kickoff Native American Heritage Month with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and special guest YoungBucks and their drum. Celebrate by listening to the singers and drum as they are a significant part of the Native American culture. Without them, there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social. We invite you for engagement, light refreshments, and a cookie. First come, first served. Must have MavCARD or NUID.

Tuesday, Nov. 9

Dr. Susana Geliga: Native American Heritage Month Keynote Speaker

5:30 P.M. | MBSC Ballroom or via Zoom

Nationally and internationally recognized for her work with preserving languages and cultures of Indigenous people, Dr. Susana Geliga is a leadership expert who challenges audiences to leverage their focus and view life through the lens of an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Susana brings unique perspectives from creating the Little White Buffalo Project, a Lakota language and cultural preservation non-profit program, and more. Knowing that excellence is a journey and not a destination, she is passionate about education and helping shatter stereotypes in society.

Friday, Nov. 12

Rock Your Mocs

12-1 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center Atrium

Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Inter-Tribal Student Council, and YoungBucks as we celebrate and stand united through tribal individuality, symbolically wearing moccasins or awareness ribbons, honoring our ancestors and indigenous people worldwide with a round dance.

Heart Of Omaha: Native American Heritage Month Food Tour

Get to know Omaha one bite at a time! Discover a dish that is a staple in many Native American and Indigenous homes and at pow wows. For the month of November enjoy a delicious Indian Taco right here on UNO campus and Ramona's Mexican Restaurant.

MBSC Food Court: Indian Tacos

Monday, Nov. 1 | 11 A.M.-2 P. M.

MBSC Food Court: Indian Tacos

Tuesday, Nov. 9 | 11 A.M.-2 P.M. (Learn How Indian Tacos are Made!)

Ramona's Mexican Restaurant

Monday, Nov. 15 | 11 A.M.-4 P.M.

Explore this incredible locally-owned eclectic restaurant and learn about new cultures and authentic cuisines. Mavericks will receive one free Indian Taco from Ramona's Mexican Restaurant! You do not want to miss out! First come, first served. Must have MavCard or NUID.

Making Fried Bread and Indian Tacos

To help celebrate Native American Heritage Month James LaPointe, outreach coordinator for UNO Multicultural Affairs, offered his insight into an unique tradition in Native American culture known as “Indian Tacos," which mixes traditional cuisine with a modern flair.

• Fried Bread is a traditional dish in Native American culture, first appearing after tribes were forced onto reservations.
  
  
• The bread is made with flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm water, and baking powder.
  
  
• By adding other toppings to the fried bread, Indian Tacos can be made.

“Fried bread making isn’t specific to any native American tribe throughout the United States, it was just passed down generation to generation," LaPointe says. "We know about those ingredients that were put into the fried bread... I learned about making fried bread from my mom who learned from her grandma."

Fried Bread was first created as Native American tribes were forced onto reservations by the United States government. With their resources limited to rationed sugar, salt, flour, yeast, lard, and baking powder, many had to make do with what they had. Today, there are many variations in how the bread is made.

One way to make the bread is to mix salt, sugar, baking powder, and flour in a large bowl. Traditionally, when making the bread, ingredients are not measured and are hand mixed.

Once the ingredients mixed well, the yeast is added to warm water, and the mixture is added to the bowl of ingredients and mixed. As the ingredients are mixed, more flour can be added to keep the dough from being too wet. The dough is then left to rise, and fried.

Indian Tacos are not a traditional dish in Native American communities, even though the fried bread is. By adding taco meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and salsa to the bread, one can make Indian Tacos, which are a unique and delicious addition to anyone’s kitchen table.