Miami, OK — The American Indian Center for Excellence at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College is hosting a full day of activities on Saturday, Sept. 22, to celebrate the Open House of Kah-Ne-You-Ah Hall.  The building recently reopened after a $4 million renovation.

The Open House will begin at 11:30 a.m. with building tours, cultural activities, face painting and a fun twist on Hors d'oeuvres to include mini-meat pies, mini-fry bread, and grape dumplings.

A brief ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will feature former State Rep. Larry Roberts, a relative of the building’s namesake, and Chief Ron Sparkman, Inter-tribal Council Chairman.

An inter-tribal powwow will be held from 2-6 p.m. in the lawn north of Kah-Ne-You-Ah Hall. The entire head staff is NEO alumni. Head singer is Curtis Hamilton-Youngblood (Pawnee, Otoe, Sac and Fox); Head Man Dancer, Dr. Steven Pratt (Osage); Head Lady Dancer, Miss Indian NEO Robynn Rulo (Osage), MC, John Robert Ballard (Ottawa, Cherokee), and Arena Director, Jared Liston (Shawnee, Cherokee).

The Golden Norsemen play the Spartans at 7 p.m. at Robertson Field. A tailgate featuring Indian tacos will begin at 5 p.m. in the south end zone. People who attend the powwow will receive a ticket to attend the tailgate for only $3 and free admission to the football game.

At halftime, AICE will have a tribal flag presentation and recognize each of the nine tribal chiefs in Ottawa County.

“This building is unlike anything else in Miami, Okla. It is so exciting to see our students find their place here at their new home away from home. In addition to the Mac computer lab, state-of-the-art technology throughout the building, we also have a kitchen, dining area, tutoring area and lounge with big-screen televisions for the students use.  It really is better than we ever could have imagined,” said Emilee Truelove, AICE director.

The building also houses classrooms and is the new home of the Art Department.