A collaborative group of Fort Lewis College cultural centers, students and staff will present the eighth annual "Real History of the Americas" program on Columbus Day 2015. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday Oct. 12 at FLC's Student Union Ballroom. The potluck and performances are held at 5 to 7 p.m. A culminating evening show by Las Cafeteras will be at the Community Concert Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students with ID and $17 to $24 for community members depending on seating. The public is welcome anytime throughout the day for the events.

The Real History of the Americas takes a positive, but different look at the history of North and South America from the viewpoints of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Native and LGBT peoples, among others. This year's theme is "Telling our stories through dance." Featured artists include Las Cafeteras, fusing traditional, hip-hop, folk, Afro-Mexican, and Latino music with their energetic multi-lingual performance, as well as other dance groups.

The day-long event offers workshops, inspirational identity activities, a live National Anthem performance in English and in Navajo by FLC student Olivia Duncan, live dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Durango, the Water Justice Project as well as presentations by Miss Hozhoni Nicole Lovato, First Attendant Charine Gonzales, and much more.

This year, the two schools in the country who offer Native American tuition waivers, Fort Lewis College and University of Minnesota-Morris, are partnering to show UMM student Nina O'Leary's photography project, titled "Native Enough." A booth will be open where students are invited to participate in the project throughout the day.

For a full calendar of events, please visit the Real History of the Americas tab at www.fortlewis.edu/elcentro, or call El Centro de Muchos Colores Hispanic Resource Center at 247-7654.