DAYTON — From an 11-year old young author to an Ohio University journalism teacher, Native American Heritage Month events this weekend, will feature representatives of the Navaho, Lakota, Cherokee and Apache nations discussing hopes and challenges facing America’s indigenous populations.

In a collaborative effort, the American Indian Movement of Ohio, Big Mountain Indigenous Support, and the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans are sponsoring a free Reception at the Dayton Peace Museum, 208 W. Monument Ave., 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.

Native American guests will converse about “Peace, Native Americans and the Media.”

A Community Luncheon and Indigenous Buffet will be held from 12-2:30 Saturday, Nov. 17 at SunWatch Indian Village, 2301 W. River Road.

The $20 per plate donation and raffles will benefit Dineh families of Big Mountain and Black Mesa, Ariz. and the Anpo O Project of the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans, which provides supplies to Standing Rock, N.D.

The Peace Museum reception and SunWatch luncheon both will feature Native American guests Danny Blackfoot (Dineh Navaho), Guy W. Jones (Hunkpapa Lakota) and Ohio University Assistant Journalism Professor Victoria LaPoe (Cherokee). Also appearing will be 11-year old author Alsan Tudor (Lipan Apache) who will discuss and autograph his first book, “Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock.”

Then, all day Saturday at SunWatch, representatives from reservations will collect food, winter clothing, tools, school supplies and other items to be transported to remote reservation locations challenged by mining interests, harsh environments and approaching winter.

For More information about these events, contact Corine Fairbanks 218-308-4368 or email [email protected]