They’ve been planning all year — and now members of the United Native American Student Association are looking forward to the 26th annual American Indian Symposium.

“We spend all year planning for and raising funds for the symposium,” said Tyra Hendershot, president of UNASA.

UNASA serves as a support group for Native Americans and Alaska natives.

It also strives to educate the non-Indian community about Native Americans.

The 18 members of the Iowa State chapter of UNASA at Iowa State are busy preparing for the symposium, which will be held at ISU April 4-7.

The group sold Native-American cards at Christmas and plans to sell T-shirts and other items at the symposium as fund-raising activities. In years past, the group has also raffled star quilts in order to raise money.

“We hope to pull in Native Americans from many different regions at the symposium,” Hendershot said.

The symposium, “And the Words Flow: Traditional Values and Contemporary Expressions,” features three Native-American women. Charlotte Black Elk, a Lakota, will speak on April 4 at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. She will speak on the topic “Teaching Tradition Ceremonies for Women.”

On April 5, Joann Shannendoah of the Onieda Nation will hold a music workshop from 1-3 p.m.

That evening, Joann will perform at an 8 p.m. concert at Fisher Theater. She will be accompanied by her sister, Diane.

Linda Hogan, a Chickasaw poet, will speak on Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room. Her topic is “Dwellings of Spiritual History of Living Worlds.”

In addition, artwork for the American Indian Symposium Exhibition will be displayed in the Gallery of the Union from March 7 through April 11.

The American Indian Symposium is UNASA’s big event, but it does participate in other activities.

“We co-sponsor lectures on campus and participate in the Youth Tutor Program, a tutoring program for Mesquaki Indian youth,” said Irma White, UNASA adviser.

CIRCLE, the Collaboration of Indian Religion, Culture, Language and Education, is another group that will be present at the symposium. CIRCLE will hold a conference April 4-5 titled “American Indian Studies, American Indian Students for Higher Education.”