(Photo courtesy of COCC)
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is bringing Latin American flavors (October 17), a Mayan glyph-writing workshop (October 23), traditional healing practices (October 24) and a cultural lecture with an ensemble musical performance (October 28) to the high desert in honor of Latinx Heritage Month. These events are free and open to the public, with an event being held at each of COCC’s four campuses — in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville; visit cocc.edu/departments/multicultural/latino for details.
Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide from September 15 to October 15, but COCC’s events are staged solely in October due to the college’s late-September fall term start. More than 15% of COCC’s credit-seeking students for the current term identify as Latinx.
“We are proud to offer these unique opportunities to learn, explore and celebrate the rich diversity of the Latinx culture,” said Claudia Bisso-Fetzer, COCC’s Latinx program coordinator. “Throughout history, Latinx activists, writers, scientists, educators, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs and artists have left a legacy that continues to shape and enrich our nation.”
At the Prineville campus, from 4-6pm on Friday, October 17, “Culinary Traditions” will offer tastes and culinary secrets of flavorful, distinctive Latin American dishes that have endured for centuries.
At the Redmond campus’s Technology Education Center, from 11am-1pm on Thursday, October 23, Pedro Parra’s Mayan Glyphs will explore the writing system of the Maya civilization and show participants how to write their name with Mayan glyphs while listening to ancestral sounds of pre-Hispanic origin. Space is limited; RSVP to latinx@cocc.edu.
The Madras campus will host “Traditional Healing Practices in Mental Health” with psychologist Claudia Bisso-Fetzer, Ph.D., from 4:30-6pm on Friday, October 24. The lecture explores the role of traditional healing practices in supporting mental health across Latin America, examining cultural approaches and ancestral knowledge.
The Bend campus’s “Lecture and Latin Ensemble Concert” with Lewis & Clark College’s Freddy Vilches, Ph.D., associate professor of Hispanic studies, will take place from 11:30am-1:30pm on Tuesday, October 28, in Wille Hall. The event offers a look at the contributions of Latin American communities to the historical and cultural development of the U.S., along with a musical performance that traces the stylistic development of salsa music.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.
