U of M Office of Equity and Diversity and Intercollegiate Athletics Department to host American Indian Heritage Month essay contest

Gopher basketball coach Tubby Smith will speak to students

Contacts: Linda Roberts, Assistant Director, Intercollegiate Athletics, (612) 626-7857
Bob San, University News Service, (612) 624-4082

The University of Minnesota Office of Equity and Diversity and Intercollegiate Athletics Department will host 250 students from three elementary schools for an essay contest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at Williams Arena, 1925 University Ave. S.E. Minneapolis.

The essay contest is part of the U of M's celebration of American Indian Heritage Month. Students from the American Indian Magnet School, Anishinaabe Academy and Ann Sullivan Communication Center were asked to complete a two-page essay on the following Minnesota Native Americans: artist Steve Premo, author Gerald Vizenor; former chief of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Marge Anderson and author and activist Winona LaDuke. A panel of Gopher athletes will review the essays and select two winners. The winners will receive four tickets to a Gopher men's or women's basketball game and be recognized during the game.

OnNov. 20, students will meet with Gopher athletes at 11 a.m. At noon, Gopher basketball coach Tubby Smith will speak to the students.