November is the nationally designated Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize and take part in some of the cultures and traditions of the America's original inhabitants. There are over 500 North American Indian communities in existence, including MSU students, faculty, and staff, and people in the Southwest Missouri Community. Native Americans continue to play an important part of this nation's culture and heritage and have included, a Pulitzer Prize winner, an astronaut, a vice-president, congressional senators and representatives, athletes, educators, actors, film makers, and musicians. The Native American story is a story of survival against great odds, and the variety of events provided this month allows individuals to come out and learn more about some of the many traditions and cultures of Native Peoples.