The N.C. State chapter of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority Inc. hosted the first Native American Performing Arts Festival in Stewart Theatre Wednesday night.

The event took place at the end of Native American Heritage Month, which the University marked with workshops, speakers and films about American Indian culture, according to LeAnn Strickland, a senior in history education and one of the organizers of the event.

“[The purpose of the festival was] to bring it all together to show we encompass our traditional and contemporary sides,” Strickland said.

Strickland said the event showed promise and she was pleased about how it turned out.

“I think it was very successful, since it was the first time we’ve done it here,” she said. “We had a good turnout. I think that it will grow as we continue to do it.”

The event featured dancers, singers, musicians, a story teller and two speakers. “We were able to bring a lot of artists from many different tribes,” Strickland said. “[They were] not only from North Carolina, but from across the United States as well.”

According to Strickland, educating people about American Indians is important because of misperceptions held by the general public.

“A lot of people come to N. C. State only knowing that Native Americans still live in tepees or they only live on reservations,” she said. “A lot of times when they encounter a Native American student, they don’t know that they’re Native American.”

Samantha Brett Locklear, a junior in sociology and Miss Indian North Carolina, gave a speech about breaking down stereotypes people have of American Indians.

Locklear said when she is dressed in everyday clothes, many people do not recognize her as a native.

“Imagine what your first thought would be,” she said. “Would it be native? Would it be white and black? Or would it be Hispanic? I have been mistaken for Hispanic or Latino many a day.”

According to Locklear, there are a lot of stereotypes of American Indians that are unsubstantiated. She said some believe, “most natives are ignorant. They’re arrogant. They don’t believe in educating themselves. Contrary to belief, we do. Education is one of our highest priorities within our communities back home.”

Locklear said some people do not even believe Natives are still around.

“Contrary to belief, natives are not extinct,” she said. “According to the 2000 census there are currently 99,951 Native Americans in the great state of North Carolina, all of who I proudly represent.”

Locklear said not every Native American fits the stereotypes portrayed in films.

“We come in different shapes colors hues, hair textures … each person is unique to the community and tribe and area they come from,” Locklear said. “No matter where you go, maybe in the library, maybe the Atrium, perhaps in your dorms, in your suites, walking out in the Brickyard, you may be encountering a Native American and not even know it.”

Locklear told attendees to, “drop your stereotypes, especially here at N.C. State.”

Lisa Falcone, a junior in Spanish language and literature, said she enjoyed the event.

“I felt that it was a real eye-opener in realizing how unaware and uneducated a lot of people are towards each other’s ethnicities or nationalities, particularly the Native Americans.”

Falcone said she agreed with parts of Locklear’s speech about stereotyping.

“I can understand the frustration of the Native Americans for being stereotyped; however I think for the most part people don’t intend to stereotype anyone,” she said. “I think it’s just a matter again of being uneducated about the Native Americans, their culture and what exactly constitutes a Native American.”