{"id":4664,"date":"2024-09-26T07:47:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T13:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sscok.edu\/media\/?p=4664"},"modified":"2024-09-26T11:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T17:14:02","slug":"native-american-culture-to-take-center-stage-at-sscs-tribal-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sscok.edu\/media\/native-american-culture-to-take-center-stage-at-sscs-tribal-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"Native American Culture to Take Center Stage at SSC\u2019s Tribal Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Seminole State College will celebrate Native American culture and heritage during its annual Tribal Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the SSC campus and will feature a variety of activities, performances and local tribal resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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The day will begin with a Browsing Fair from 9 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. at Cook\u2019s Commons, where attendees can explore booths from local tribal organizations. Activities will include a special dance performance by SSC alumnus Asa Samuels, who was named Mr. Indigenous OU in 2023. Beading demonstrations will also be conducted, and local Tribal Princesses will meet and greet attendees. The SSC Belles women\u2019s basketball team will also be on-site, signing autographs. Of the 16 players on the Belles\u2019 roster, 10 are Native American, representing the Absentee Shawnee, Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Comanche, Creek, Delaware, Kiowa, Rosebud Sioux, Sac and Fox, Seminole and Wichita tribes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors can enjoy food from the Fry Bread Express Food Truck throughout the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Native American hoop dancer Eric Hernandez will be the featured performer at Seminole State College\u2019s Tribal Fest on Oct. 9.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At noon, attendees are invited to the Jeff Johnston Auditorium for a special performance by Native American hoop dancer Eric Hernandez. Hernandez, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, is known for his dynamic performances and previously served as the lead character and dancer in Cirque du Soleil\u2019s \u201cTOTEM,\u201d which toured in over 17 countries. His work showcases the art of hoop dancing while promoting cultural understanding and breaking stereotypes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by several federal grant programs on SSC\u2019s campus, including Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services\/SSS STEM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendor List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n