The monument ceremony and unveiling reception was part of the college’s Native American Heritage Month Series, “Our Stories. Our Nations.”
According to a news release Nov. 24, the Land Acknowledgment Monument is a collaboration between the LSC-Montgomery Multidisciplinary Native American Employee Resource Group and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe from Livingston.
The purpose of the monument is to honor all Native American people, particularly the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, who inhabited the land where LSC-Montgomery sits, according to the release.
- The land monument is a native Texas Moss Rock boulder with a metal solar cross in a circle.
- The metal solar cross is a sacred Native American symbol and represents the sun, the moon and fire.
- Robby Wood, LSC-Montgomery art professor, designed the cross.
- Anthony Bess, LSC-Montgomery welding professor, created the monument.
“The importance of honoring Native people runs deeper than this one month of celebration and reflection,” said Yolanda Lopez, LSC-Montgomery culture impact manager. “We have been working on creating strong relationships across campus and with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to ensure we foster spaces of open dialogue, understanding and collaboration that are sustainable, mutually beneficial and long-lasting.”
"We hope this event will mark the beginning of a long-lasting partnership with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe,” said Kerri Steen, LSC-Montgomery lead of the Native American Employee Resource Group. “Through this partnership, we hope to share knowledge, resources and experiences that will benefit both LSC-Montgomery and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.”
“November heralds a season of celebration, recognition and the month when we honor Native American Heritage,” said Carlecia Wright, LSC chief culture and engagement officer. “Lone Star College delves into and values the deep-seated traditions and significant impacts of Native Americans on our community through various educational enrichment events.”
