Libraries mark Indian heritage

Full slate of events scheduled at sites throughout the valley

The library has its fall season in full swing, with this month celebrating Native American Heritage Month.

It has scheduled storytelling, films, author visits and, at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road (507-3400), Nov. 24 at 2 p.m., a performance by the group Clan/destine. The group features a four-time World Champion Hoop Dancer and blends rock with traditional American Indian songs.

"We strive to develop programs that are a cultural exchange," said Suzanne Scott, committee chairwoman. "And (a program which) dispels stereotypes as it broadens awareness of Native American culture."

The southwest part of town has its own events.

On Friday, Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. (507-3630) will host storyteller Judy Trejo at 4 p.m. Through her stories and songs, attendees will learn about the Paiute and Shoshone people. Trejo is a retired elementary school teacher and has taught about the Paiute at the college level.

On Saturday , Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. (507-3820) will present "Southern Paiutes: A Portrait Lecture" at 2 p.m.

The lecture features photographer Michael Plyler and writer Logan Hebner who will discuss their traveling exhibit. "Southern Paiutes: A Portrait" chronicles the lives of 14 members of the Paiute Indian Tribes of Utah.

For Nov. 21, Spring Valley Library has scheduled author, playwright and scholar LeAnne Howe, a Choctaw Indian, to read from her award-winning novel, "Shell Shaker" at 7 p.m. The story centers around two assassinations, one an 18th century Choctaw warrior named Red Shoes and the other, a contemporary chief named Redford McAlester.

West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. (507-3940) will be showing the film "Dance Me Outside" (R, 1995) November 16, beginning at 1 p.m.

On Nov. 19, West Charleston Library will show "Robert Mirabal: Music from a Painted Cave" (NR, 2001) which was filmed as a television special for PBS. It begins at 5:30 p.m.

Also that day, West Charleston will show Incident at "Oglala" (PG, 1992), a documentary narrated and produced by Robert Redford, starting at 7 p.m.

Young children can learn Navajo beading, American Indian drumming and how make a canoe. The Spring Valley and West Charleston libraries are participating in these programs and require preregistration.

Also, the library district is reaching out to area teens by having a Web Camp consisting of three sessions. November sessions are held at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive (507-3710).

Green Valley, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway (507-3790) and Summerlin, 1771 Inner Circle Drive (507-3860), libraries have their sessions in December. Students in grades six through 12 are welcome to participate.

"Teens will find these seminars offer practical solutions to getting their homework done fast and efficiently," said Paula Wilson, virtual library manager. " They may even actually have fun doing it."

Teens can sign up for "Internet Research Unplugged" which runs 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. There will be no teachers. No classrooms. No special effects. Young people can learn the basics of Internet research and the secrets of creating quality assignments.

"Internet Research Unplugged" will be held at Rainbow Library on Nov. 12, 14, 19 and 21; Green Valley Library on Dec.2 and 4; Summerlin Library on Dec. 16 and 18.

Those same dates and locations apply for "The Real Word" which runs 4:30 to 5 p.m. It has teens working with a Microsoft program that's valuable for writing reports.

"Teens Rule the Lab" may be a scary thought, but it's really an open lab with hands-on help. Teens can practice Internet search skills or work on a report. "Teens Rule" will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Again, the same dates and locations apply.


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