Aztec dance group to perform at SFA for Native American Heritage Month

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — November is Native American Heritage Month, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University will celebrate by hosting Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli, an Aztec dance group that will perform an interactive presentation offering tribal dancing, drumming and a brief look at the Mexica-Nahuati philosophy.

The celebration will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza located on the SFA campus. The event is free and open to the public.

“During the presentation, the audience will learn some of the background history and origins of the dances,” Veronica Beavers, director of the OMA, said. “The idea for the event came from the need to represent all racial and ethnic groups, as well as host an event that acknowledges and applauds the roots, culture, existence and contributions of the Native American people,” Beavers added.

Former U.S. President George H. Bush established the commemorative month in 1990. The month-long celebration gives Native American people the opportunity to express to their communities their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local areas.

“Attendees should expect to be educated and entertained about aspects of Native American culture, as well as participate in live dancing,” Beavers said.

The performance is sponsored, in part, by the Texas Commission on the Arts. For more information, visit the OMA website at www.sfasu.edu/oma.