West Virginia University’s Native American Studies Program will host the 2012 Peace Tree Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with guest of honor Cheewa James of the Modoc Tribe.

Later that evening at 6 p.m., the Public Broadcasting documentary, “The Modoc War,” will be shown and discussed in the Mountainlair’s Gluck Theatre. James, who played a major role in production of the film, both on and off the air, is leading a discussion of the film and her book, “MODOC: The Tribe that Wouldn’t Die,” a story about her tribe written over a 12-year period.

James was born on the Klamath Indian Reservation, Oregon, and is enrolled with the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma. She has published 100 articles and her work has appeared in Smithsonian Magazine and National Wildlife. James is a sought-after professional who works with associations, corporations, educational organizations, and government agencies across the United States and Canada, including the US National Park Service.

The Peace Tree is located between Martin and Elizabeth Moore Halls on the downtown campus. Music is provided by ONAI Drum and flute player Rick Rivard. Another special guest, Thunder, a bald eagle from the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center, will attend with handler Mike Book.

This year’s ceremony marks the 20th anniversary of the planting of WVU’s first peace tree on Sept. 12, 1992. It was planted by Chief Leon Shenandoah, Tadodaho of the Grand Council of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, and Chippewa Chief Robert TallTree to commemorate the University’s commitment to the rediscovery and celebration of America’s Native American heritage.

All events are free and open to the public. They are co-sponsored by the Council for Women’s Concerns, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the Carolyn Reyer Endowment for Native American Studies and the President’s Office for Social Justice.

Cheewa James is also the featured speaker for the 25th annual Women of Color Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 17, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. To purchase tickets to the luncheon, visit http://as.wvu.edu/cwc.

In the event of rain, the Peace Tree ceremony will be held in the Vandalia Lounge in the Mountainlair.

For more information, contact Bonnie Brown at 304-293-4626 or BonnieM.Brown@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

gd/10/03/12

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