MIAMI – Florida International University will present an evening of film, panel discussion and an interview with rapper Awich in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 11.

The program will begin with a screening of “First Language: The Race to Save Cherokee” at 5 p.m. The Emmy-award winning film focuses on the steps taken by the Eastern Band of Cherokee to preserve Cherokee language. Viewers can also watch the film on YouTube separately and then join the panel discussion. 

At 6 p.m., Rev. Houston Cypress (Miccosukee), an artist, poet and environmental activist, will host a panel discussion featuring Benjamin Frey (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), professor of American Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; María-Luisa Veisaga, director of the Andean Studies Program at FIU; and Walt Wolfram, renowned linguist and producer of “First Language.”

The evening will conclude with an interview of the Japanese-rapper Awich by Mitzi Carter, director of the Global Indigenous Forum. The talk will start at 6:45 p.m. and focus on bringing Okinawan language, Indigenous identity and culture to the world stage through hip hop. 

The program is hosted by FIU’s Global Indigenous Forum, the Center for Humanities in an Urban Environment and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The program will be offered via Zoom. For more information visit HTTPS://GO.FIU.EDU/INDIGENOUSPEOPLESDAY2021.