Willow Hall is putting on a Global Awareness Project this month that will focus on activities centered on Native American issues.

The activities will start Oct. 22 and end Oct. 27.

Willow resident assistants chose Native American issues because Native Americans are “not well-represented on campus,” said Sandra Gui, a sixth floor RA.

Gui said there are fewer than 100 fully recognized Native Americans studying at Iowa State.

A program on “Westernization and Manifest Destiny” was held yesterday. All upcoming events are free and will be held on the main floor of Willow Hall at 7 p.m..

Today’s activity will look into foods eaten in the traditional Native American culture. Menu items include muffins made from ground amaranth, a common plant in the U.S., and a casserole made from quiona, “the mother grain of the Inca [which was] domesticated between 3,000-5,000 years ago,” said Mary Korte, Willow Hall Director.

Frankie Wilmur, a visiting professor from Montana State University, will discuss the diversity of Native American nations Tuesday night.

“It’s important to realize that Native Americans are not a homogeneous group of people. The sub-divisions are very diverse,” said Amanda Gleason, also a Willow RA.

The art of storytelling and bead making will be the focus of Wednesday’s program, said Ben Bode, a fifth floor RA. Discussion will focus on “the importance and entertainment of storytelling and how it is used as a language to pass on information and to teach,” he said.

John Henry, a member of the Buckskinners group that advocates keeping Native American traditions alive, will then display his collection of Native American clothing and bead work.

On Thursday, three Mesquaki dancers and three singers will hold a Pow Wow.

“All dances will be explained in their cultural context by a narrator and questions will be answered at any time during the performances and especially afterwards,” said Kurt Varley, a third floor RA.

GAP planning has been in the works for months. RAs began organizing the project in early August. Danielle Hoffman, a seventh floor RA said organizers are hopeful people will attend the programs.