Tarrant County College is continuing its commitment to the community and honoring its traditions by celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November.
The celebration includes a presentation by Jimmy Smith, curator of the Big Bear Museum of Native American History, on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Idea Store at Trinity River Campus, 200 Trinity Campus Circle.
Smith will discuss the development of pueblos and the elimination of two large 700-room pueblos in west-central New Mexico due to warfare. Artifacts from the time period will be on display. Smith has worked in archeology for 40 years and was a steward in the Texas Historical Commission’s Office of the State Archaeologist for 25 years. His presentation will stem from his work in New Mexico, where he excavated and published a scientific report that won the State of New Mexico’s Historical Preservation Award in 2010.
The celebration of National Native American Heritage Month in November began 27 years ago when President George H. W. Bush signed a proclamation on Aug. 3, 1990. The purpose is to share the culture, tradition, music, crafts, dance and ways and concepts of life. It provides Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area.
Please refer to the TCC online Native American Heritage Month calendar for more TCC-sponsored events.