November 10, 2022
Laurel Ridge Community College is honored to welcome the American Indian Society of Washington D.C., Friends of the United Tribes of the Shenandoah, and sacred runners and walkers from the Dakotas to the Fauquier Campus on Monday, Nov. 14, as part of Native American Heritage Month.
“Come to the Circle,” a recently-developed cultural education program which debuted in the nation’s capital last month for Indigenous People’s Day, will feature storytelling, singing, a friendship dance and cornhusk crafts. The celebration will be from 1-3 p.m. in the Barkman Family Conference Center in Hazel Hall.
The event is being organized by student activities and recreation specialist Angela Schroeder, a Laurel Ridge alumna. She has helped to organize a lunch to be shared among college and tribal elders prior to the public event.
“We are honored to host Indigenous residents of the community here at the college, to develop ongoing relationships with local tribal leaders, and to learn about First Nations history through this exciting interactive program,” said Schroeder.
The state of New York declared the second Saturday in May 1916 American Indian Day. Illinois declared a day for Native Americans in 1919. A joint resolution naming November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage month was approved by President George H.W. Bush, according to nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov. The month is also called American Indian and Alaska Native Month.
Having the annual heritage month allows for the cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of Native Americans to be celebrated, according to the National Congress of American Indians’ website.
“[It] is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced, both historically and in the present, and the ways in which the tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges,” the site says.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.