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By Ashley Barletta and Zach Dumais News editor and Opinion editor
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November is National Native American Heritage Month, which is when we come together to recognize the vital role that Native Americans play in the United States. November is the month to spread awareness about the culture and history of Native American people.
Not only is there a month to recognize both the strengths and struggles of Native Americans, but there is also a National Native American Heritage Day. It falls on the day after Thanksgiving each year, with this year being Nov. 26.
Native American Heritage Day had its beginnings around the year 1912, when Dr. Arthur C. Parker, who was of Seneca descent, protested to have “American Indian Day” observed by the Boy Scouts of America, according to news sources.
In 1915, a plan about American Indian Day was approved by Congress. According to nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov, the first state to recognize “American Indian Day” was New York in 1916, when they declared that it would be held on the second Saturday in May.
It was not until 1976 when a week was declared by Congress to be “Native American Awareness Week.”
Then in 1990, George H. W. Bush signed “American Indian Heritage Day” into legislation. The bill was proposed by Joe Baca, a Congressman at the time, and signed into law on Nov. 28. American Indian Heritage Day was both supported and recognized by the National Indian Gaming Association, or NIGA, as well as 184 federally recognized tribes, according to news sources.
Finally in 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Native American Heritage Day Act, which Barack Obama signed into law on Nov. 30. Obama also declared November to be National Native American Heritage Month, according to news sources.
Mercyhurst began its celebration of this month with an event put on by the Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society, also known as ELIES. The first event put on was a film showing, which was followed by a discussion.
The movie was called “Mankiller,” and the discussion afterwards was led by Benjamin Scharff, Ph.D. from the Mercyhurst University Department of History.
According to PBS, the film is about a woman from the Cherokee Nation named Wilma Mankiller, who was able to overcome “rampant sexism and personal challenges to emerge as the Cherokee Nation’s first woman Principal Chief in 1985.”
Dr. Scharff hosted the discussion because, in his own words, he “teaches a course in Native American history and has an interest in such conversations.”
Verna Ehret, Ph.D., director of ELIES, said “‘Mankiller’ is a particularly powerful film because of its ability to explore in some detail the experiences of Cherokee women in particular.”
She also said that “ELIES is building a film series in honor of Native American Heritage Month.”
The film “Lake of Betrayal” was shown two years ago and was hosted by a panel of two Seneca Nation members. The film shown last year was called “Invisible Indians,” and the panel was hosted by Edward Jolie, Ph.D., formerly of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology.
ELIES plans to show “For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow” next year.
Another event that observed National Native American Heritage Month was on Nov. 12. The Multicultural Activities Council and Student Activities Council (MAC/SAC) partnered with the Anthropology Club to host “Native American Cultural Crafting.” Participants were able to make their own corn husk dolls.
Lilli Gall, sophomore Archaeology major and co-vice president of the Anthropology Club, said “It’s really exciting to see MAC/SAC creating an event that works to teach students how to respect the complex practices and interests of Natives, so we just took it a step further to show others how cool the histories of these traditions are through origin stories of the crafts.”
Corn husk dolls were very popular among Native Americans, where each part of the ear of corn was used in making them. No material was discarded or set aside.
Gall said that “it’s very important to recognize how meaningful and crucial material things are to Native Americans.”
The Anthropology Club was also in charge of creating a presentation about numerous Native American crafts and practices, which was shown at the weekend event. Education is another important aspect of celebrating National Native American Heritage Month.
“The presentation focuses on Native crafts like the corn husks dolls, but there’s also many indepth looks into traditional crafts like Kachina dolls, talking sticks, wampum belts, and many other material practices that hold significance in past and present Native societies,” said Gall.
To learn more about the history of National Native American Heritage Day/Month, visit https://nationaltoday.com and https://www. nativeamericanheritagemonth. gov/.
One student holds up a finished doll.
Catherine Segada photo Catherine Segada photo
Lilli Gall, co-vice president of the Anthropology Club, helps students in making the corn husk dolls.
Catherine Segada photo
Two students work on making their very own dolls.
Catherine Segada photo The corn husk doll making proved to be an enjoyable activity.
COVID-19 booster clinic this week
By Bella Lee Staff writer
It has been nearly two years since COVID-19 first entered our world and changed the way we lived our lives. Most of us on campus have been fully vaccinated against COVID. However, with breakthrough cases and variants making their rounds, it is time that we increased our safety. That is why on Nov. 18, Mercyhurst will be offering a booster shot clinic on campus.
Time slots are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on this date. As of Nov. 12, 380 people have registered. In order to qualify, it must have been at least two months since one received their Johnson & Johnson shot or at least six months since the second Pfizer or Moderna shot.
Students should be prepared with their vaccination card, health insurance card and photo ID.
If one is unable to make it to Thursday’s clinic, there is no need to worry.
“Students can also utilize clinics in the Erie community to obtain a booster shot, but we are hopeful that many students will take advantage of this opportunity prior to Thanksgiving break,” said Sarah Allen, assistant vice president for Student Life.
There has been a strong planning committee that we can thank for being able to pull this off.
Laura Zirkle, Ph.D, vice president for Student Life; Sue Sweeney, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Health and Wellness; Kyndra Zacherl, Enrollment Data Scientist and Web Manager; Andrea Barnett, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; Lisa Frampton, Coordinator of Student Life; and Sean Cuneo, Director of Marketing and Brand Management all worked together to make this possible for students.
Mercyhurst is teaming up with LECOM in order to make this vaccination booster clinic happen. In addition to booster shots, students can also receive their first doses of Pfizer or Moderna if they have not been vaccinated yet.
In the past week, Zirkle sent out an email on behalf of Mercyhurst to the entire campus including faculty and staff on the latest COVID-19 vaccination rates of the campus. With excellent COVID-19 vaccination rates, Mercyhurst has granted itself significant protection against severe illness.
“Studies show that even with the highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with the Delta variant may decrease over time. This reduction in protection has led the CDC to recommend booster shots for certain populations, including those of us in education settings like Mercyhurst,” said Zirkle.
As Thanksgiving Break quickly approaches, it is a good idea for students to register so that they can continue to be protected as they go home to their families.
“...we should all be mindful of our travel and interactions with others. A COVID-19 booster provides near-immediate increased immune response, additional protection that may be especially beneficial during this time of year,” said Zirkle.
If you have not registered for the on-campus clinic yet, do it as soon as possible! If you are not able to make it, you may be able to find a vaccine booster in the local Erie community to reinforce your protection for the upcoming Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
Green at the Hurst
By Ashley Barletta News editor
Mercyhurst’s Sustainability Club hosted a tiny forest planting on Nov. 13. The planting lasted from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. There were a slew of trees that needed planting in a small amount of space, hence the name “tiny forest.” Gloves, tools, snacks, and service hours were provided to those who took part in the tree planting. Not only was it helpful to students, but it was helpful to the earth as well. The event took place on a cold Saturday morning, with snow in the last hour, but those who participated got the job done well. Although it does not look much like a forest yet, it is something that future Mercyhurst students have to look forward to. The tiny forest is an example of Mercyhurst’s mission to be “globally responsible.” The Sisters of Mercy taught us that we should care about the environment, and this was a great way of showing it. Be sure to check out the tiny forest, located in the yard behind the Center for Academic Engagement at any time.
Contributed photo
Many people showed up on the cold Saturday morning to help out.
Contributed photo
Everyone who participated worked very hard and deserves commendation.
Merciad IN A MINUTE
Turkey Dinner This Thursday
On Nov. 18, the Grotto Commons and the 501 Grille will host their annual Thanksgiving dinner.
There will be numerous Thanksgiving dishes served like turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.
This is a very popular dinner among students, so be prepared for a crowded dining hall no matter where you go!
Thanksgiving Break
Be sure to look at your email for the regulations regarding Thanksgiving Break.
The email provides information students need to ensure their rooms are secure during Thanksgiving Break.
Remember to lock your doors and windows, take out your trash, and keep your rooms clean!
Christmas Ornaments For Sale
Mercyhurst’s 2021 Christmas ornaments are now available! The ornament is of slate material, much like Old Main’s slate roof. It is in the shape of a shamrock and has “Mercyhurst” engraved on it.
To receive one, make a $25 or more contribution to the Mercyhurst Annual Fund and Student Scholarship Program.
Merciads Need a New Home
If you would like any of the old issues of The Merciad which are currently crowding the studio, email Gillian Mazur at gmazur98@ lakers.mercyhurst.edu or Samantha Weber at sweber47@lakers. mercyhurst.edu.
Unused, leftover newspapers will likely be given to the Erie Rabbit Society.
United Airlines lifts international travel ban
By Hannah Brooks Staff writer
United Airlines is expecting a great influx in air traffic, at the rate of about 50% more international inbound passengers, who are now able to fly into the United States again.
The previous international travel restrictions that had been in place have now been lifted as of Nov. 7. Travelers will need to be alert to some concerns, such as long lines, crowding and a potential spike of the COVID-19 virus. The travel restrictions had been in place for nearly two years, first being implemented in early 2020 to address the spread of COVID-19. Now, vaccinated passengers from overseas will once again be able to fly into the United States.
According to Delta Airlines Chief Executive, Ed Bastian, travelers need to be aware that lines will likely be long at the beginning of this change.
In the six weeks since the U.S. reopening was announced, there has been a 450% increase in international point-of-sales bookings versus the six weeks prior to the announcement, according to Delta Airlines.
An official for U.S. Customers and Border Protection also advises travelers to have their documentation ready ahead of time.
The Biden Administration has been taking measures to prepare airlines for the changes that will affect them, especially during the upcoming holiday season. They have held calls with airlines to prepare for additional travelers; they also warned travelers crossing at the Canadian and Mexican borders to prepare for
longer wait times beginning on Nov. 7.
According to news sources, countries that were affected by the restrictions in place included China, India, South Africa, Iran, Brazil, Britain, Ireland and the 26 Schengen countries in Europe.
Trade group U.S. Travel says that these countries made up 53% of all overseas travelers to the US in 2019. Border communities also got hit with a hard decline by the loss of people crossing from Mexico and Canada. The group estimates nearly $300 billion lost in export income since March 2020.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and United Airlines President Brett Hard held an event at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Monday,
Nov. 7 to mark the reopening. U.S. officials also did an Instagram live stream on Nov. 9 to share more information to travelers.
Between the higher demand for flights as compared to 2020 along with it being the holiday season, costs for flight tickets are also on the path to increasing.
Already, flight prices are 78% higher than they were at this point in 2020; and 3.2% above where they were in 2019, according to Forbes.
Airlines will check vaccination documentation for international travelers. They already have been checking for COVID-19 test results pre-flight.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will ask travelers if they have been vaccinated and spot-check documentation at land border crossings.
Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccine requirements. Non-tourist children from nearly 50 countries with nationwide vaccination rates of less than 10% will also be exempt from these requirements.
New contract tracing rules were also implemented on Nov. 7, which requires airlines to collect information from international air passengers “to follow up with travelers who have been exposed to COVID-19 variants or other pathogens,” according to news sources.
Though Americans were advised to stay at home for the holidays in 2020, Anthony Faucci, Ph.D, says that it is safe to travel during the holidays in 2021 as long as you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you or someone you know is traveling abroad, especially if it will be during the holiday season, take the necessary precautions in order to ensure that you and your loved ones will be safe.
-Hannah Brooks, on lifted airline restrictions
Two Intel seniors receive competitive scholarship
By Samantha Weber Managing editor
Two Mercyhurst University seniors, Laren Reesman and Nicholas Brodfuehrer are recipients of the National Military Intelligence Foundation (NMIF) Merit Scholarship. Reesman and Brodfuehrer are just two of the eight people who received the scholarship.
Reesman is a double major in intelligence studies and French. Brodfuehrer is a double major in intelligence studies and political science.
In order to apply for this scholarship, there are four criteria that must be met. The first is about what grade level the students are. Students who can apply must be at least a junior in college with more than 48 semester credit hours.
Seniors and graduate students can also apply, but the seniors must have more than 72 credit hours. This scholarship describes graduate students as “students who have received a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited post-secondary educational institution and are actively pursuing a Master’s, Doctoral or professional degree.”
The second criteria is that the student is considered a full time undergraduate or graduate student. This means the student must be taking at least 12 semester credit hours or 15 quarter credit hours.
The third criteria is that the scholarship has to be used in either the fall semester of 2021 or the spring semester of 2022. This means that the scholarship must be used during this academic year.
The fourth and final criteria is that the applicant fills out the entirety of the application package. The application process is rigorous and has a lot of parts.
Applicants have to complete an application form, a resume, one or more letters of recommendation, academic transcripts and copies of other relative awards that the applicant has received. The foundation also looks at Academic Excellence and Rigor as well as how relevant the major and minors that the students are in.
Additionally, the applicant has to answer four essay questions and the combined responses have to be at most 2500 words.
“I actually heard about the scholarship from a Mercyhurst alum, Natalie Anderson. Natalie was an Intel major and NMIF winner as well. She now chairs the scholarship board and selection committee,” said Brodfuehrer.
He proceeded to fill out the application when Ridge College sent it out to all students.
Many students recognize that it is important for students to take any opportunities given to them and Brodfuehrer is no exception.
“First, students should take advantage of any scholarships that come their way. When this came up and I saw the past connections to Mercyhurst, I thought that I should give this a shot,” Brodfuehrer said. “I took the time to write the essays and put my best effort into the application.”
Brodfuehrer had a nice surprise in regard to the award.
“Once I submitted it, I actually forgot about it. Then during move-in and New Student Welcome, I got a call from a D.C. phone number and Natalie called to tell me I had won - I was shocked. It was quite a nice surprise,” said Brodfuehrer.
If you are a student who is pursuing a career in intelligence, National Security or military intelligence, be sure to keep your eye out for this scholarship for the next school year.
By Francesca Divincenzo Staff writer
In the past few years, the pandemic has brought many challenges upon us, one of them being increased domestic violence against women.
According to a United Nations article, since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified.
As the cases of COVID-19 have climbed dramatically, domestic violence shelters have started to reach full capacity.
Unfortunately, the pandemic caused the domestic violence issue to become secondary in the world.
According to the United Nations article, as countries implemented lockdown measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, violence against women, especially domestic violence, intensified – in some countries, calls to helplines have increased up to five times.
On May 27, 2020, women of the United Nations launched “The Shadow Pandemic Campaign.” According to a United Nations article, “The Shadow Pandemic Campaign” is a sixty second film that shows the horrors of domestic violence that women around the world face every day. The video displays domestic violence that 14 women around the world are subjected to.
The video also highlights the alarming upsurge in domestic violence during COVID-19 and urges people to act if they know or suspect someone is experiencing violence.
“This is a critical time for action to put the safety of the women around the world and give them shelter and support. The violence does not stop when women go back to work,” said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.
According to a United Nations article, in New South Wales, Australia, 40 percent of frontline workers in a survey reported increased requests for help with violence that was escalating in intensity and complexity.
Emergency calls for domestic violence cases in Argentina have increased by 25 percent since the lockdown began. Helplines in Singapore and Cyprus have registered an increase in calls of more than 30 percent. In the U.S., the National Domestic Violence Hotline reported a rising number of victims who reached out via text or phone.
During lockdown, women were trapped with their abusers; they were isolated from people and resources that could help them.
The End To Violence Against Women campaign aims at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. The campaign is an attempt to bring global action in helping domestic violence survivors and preventing the action of abuse as well.
Every year on Nov. 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed. People spread awareness for this cause every year on this day, and every year has a theme. This year’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.
Much like in years past, this year’s international day begins the 16 days of activism. These 16 days will end Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.
People need to take action now and help others while they can because the virus does not last forever, but the pain these women face on a daily basis will stay with them forever.
To learn more about the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, visit https://www.un.org/ en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day and https://www.unfpa.org/events/ international-day-elimination-violence-against-women-2021.
Mercyhurst cheer hosts clinic for young cheerleaders
By Libby Bullinger Copy editor
On Nov. 13, the Mercyhurst Cheer team came together to help educate Erie youth in the sport of cheerleading. This clinic is held annually for cheerleaders in grades K-8 and is run completely by the Mercyhurst cheerleaders.
This year, the cheer students arrived at 1 p.m. for a meet-and- greet and welcome with the Mercyhurst team. Following check in, the children spent time learning age-appropriate stunts, dances, tumbling passes and cheers followed by choreography of a short halftime routine.
After a dinner break, the students in the clinic had the opportunity to perform with the Mercyhurst cheerleaders at the Women’s basketball game halftime show.
Advertising for the clinic occurred through a featured page on Mercyhurst’s website as well as the cheerleading social media pages. The team also spent time personally reaching out to local schools in the Erie area that had cheer programs to invite their students to attend.
The clinic brought in an exciting turnout following the cancellation of the annual clinics last year due to pandemic concerns.
Cheerleading coach Chelsee Cool explained how the cheerleading team were completely in charge of the clinic, running everything from the marketing through the actual day of instruction and interaction with the students. This served as a great opportunity for the cheerleading team to gain leadership skills and interact with others outside of the Mercyhurst community.
The majority of the students in the clinic were in elementary and middle school. However, one male student was a high school cheer recruit from Canada.
This wide range of age levels and skills forced the cheerleading team to adapt and work with all different kinds of students, a skill that is essential in any kind of teaching or leading position. “It is a wonderful chance to reach out to the community and have an event where the students can build some self-confidence through learning new skills and performing. We love getting to open our doors to promote a positive athletic environment for cheer,” said Cool.
As a newer head coach for the team, Cool mentioned that it was very exciting to see the current team interact with the participants. “...especially together on the basketball court at the women’s game,” said Cool.
Senior Captain, Mary Claire Cousins, very much enjoyed running the clinic. “This was a fantastic opportunity to work with children in elementary and middle school. As an Early Childhood Education major, this was especially helpful for me in gearing up for teaching positions post-graduation. I also enjoyed working with the children and seeing their passion for the sport,” said Cousins.
It is safe to say that the cheer clinic was a success, and Coach Cool and the rest of the cheerleading team is hoping to gain an even larger turnout at their upcoming clinic in the spring.
This first clinic since COVID provided the team with valuable insight about how to improve and what was successful so that they can create even more beneficial learning opportunities for the young athletes of the local Erie community. STUDENT GOVERNMENT
This weekend’s campus events
