The Northland College Indigenous Cultures Center (ICC) will host two sessions on tribal education Thursday March 17 at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. in the Alvord Theatre.

Starting at 10 a.m., “Northern Games, Northern Music,” will focus on how the Ojibwe developed and continue the art of music with live demonstrations of traditional northern games — an entertaining and extremely athletic set of games passed down among communities in Canada and Alaska traditionally used to build survival and social skills.

Starting at 1 p.m., a four-person panel will discuss “Connecting Through Knowledge and Community,” aimed at recognizing tribal youth in local communities, the panel will discuss ways to support tribal students as they transition to post-secondary education and future careers, said ICC Director Katrina Werchouski.

“This panel is something we’ve designed for mentors, teachers, youth counselors or any community organizers who are involved with tribal youth,” Werchouski said. “Fostering partnership support is a goal of the panel experts, who will touch on subjects such as academic development and community involvement.”

Panel members include: Karen Breit, a Northland College alumna who now serves as dean of student services and enrollment management for the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Krystle Topping, Northland College alumna and Red Cliff tribal education director, Karissa White, Northland College associate professor of Native American Studies, speaking specifically on masters and doctorate programs, and Tadd Johnson, American Indian Lawyer and director of masters programs at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

This event, free and open to the public, is alcohol and drug free.

Northland College is celebrating Indigenous Cultures Awareness Month with a week-long series of workshops, speakers, and panels March 14-March 18, culminating in its annual Spring Powwow Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.northland.edu/icc.