November is Native American Heritage Month, a time for those whose roots that stretch back to this country’s original inhabitants to celebrate their diverse and storied heritage.

As part of this celebration the Native American Student Society is presenting the Native American Youth, Art, and Social Justice Symposium with Gallery Art Show on Tuesday November 28th from 4 to 6 PM. The event will feature appearances by Navajo artist Geri Barney, traditional Mi’Kmaq elder Junior Paul, and Abenaki author and activist Marge Burchac.

A member of the Navajo nation, musician and artist Geri Barney was born in Buffalo Springs, New Mexico. Skilled at the guitar, flute, and hand-drum, Barney has released two CDs of Native American music, “Heartbeat: First Nation’s Women” and “Music of New Mexico: Native American Traditions”. She is also a skilled artist working with sketches, drawings and prints. As part of a celebration for Native American Awareness Day Barney was chosen to perform in Washington, DC at the Department of the Interior.

Barney moved to Boston from New Mexico in hopes of attending Berklee College of Music but, even though she was accepted, had to defer admission due to the high prices of higher education. Barney has been in Boston performing and creating ever since.

Marge Bruchac is an Abenaki scholar, historian, and performer. Through her stories she is able to bring the northeast Native American past to the page. Telling traditional trickster tales, fables filled with lessons on life, and historical works she has been able to capture a part of America that most of us know nothing about.

A scholarly expert on the Abenaki nation, Bruchac has taught at Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In 2000 the Woodcraft Circle of Native American Writers and Storytellers awarded Bruchac the title of “Storyteller of the Year”. Much of her writing has explored the story of the 1704 Deerfield Raid (a joint attack by Native American and French forces on the English settlement of Deerfield, MA that killed 56 colonists).

Whether you’re of Native American heritage or just interested in a part of the American history that still lives today, head over to the Campus Center on Tuesday afternoon and check out the symposium and art show.

The Native American Youth, Art, and Social Justice Symposium with Gallery Art Show will be held on

Tuesday November 28th from 4 to 6 PM in the Atrium Graphics Room (Campus Center, UL, Next to the Atrium Lounge)