November's events will include film screenings, lectures and art workshops.
The events kicked off on Nov. 1 with a screening of "In the Light of Reverence," a film about how popular culture has tried to destroy Native American spiritual sights. Events continue today at 4:00 p.m. with a lecture about Native American history and tribal communities given by David Edmund, a professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Rachel Blue, president of the Indian Circle, said Native American Heritage Month is important because it provides an opportunity to educate people about the history of Native Americans.
Blue said many people have misconceptions about Native Americans. She said many images in popular culture -- like tepees -- are mistakenly thought to be part of the culture of all Native American tribes, when they really only are part of the culture of tribes from the western United States.
Blue said educating the public about misrepresentations of Native Americans and dispelling myths and stereotypes is important. "People assume that all Native Americans fit a certain prototype, and that's not true."
Blue said North Carolina has the largest Native American population east of the Mississippi River, but Native American students only account for four-fifths of a percent of UNC's student population.
From Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, there will be a Native American Recruitment Weekend when high school students will visit UNC, Blue said.
Blue also said UNC does not have a major or a minor in Native American studies, adding that these events could show administrators that there is a need for a Native American studies curriculum.
Professor Theda Perdue, who teaches several classes on Native American history, said the first step to offering a degree in Native American studies is hiring more faculty who would be able to teach core classes.