La Casita Student Resource Center

Bienvenido a la Oficina de Servicios y Programas Multiculturales y al Centro de Recursos de La Casita. Estamos encantados de que haya visitado. Por favor, echa un vistazo a todos los grandes programas que tenemos este año! ¡Esperamos verte ahí! Visítenos en el séptimo piso del Hulman Memorial Student Union Building. ¡Siempre estamos pasando algo!

Welcome to the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs and the La Casita Resource Center. We are delighted that you have visited. Please check out all the great programs we have this year! We hope to see you there! Visit us on the seventh floor of the Hulman Memorial Student Union Building. We are always making things happen!

La Casita Resource Center Logo

Land Acknowledgement Statement

This land on which we inhabit is physically situated in the original ancestral homelands of the The Wea Peoples of the Miami Tribe of Indiana. The Wea were a Miami-Illinois originally located in western Indiana and part of the larger Illinois Confederation. We pay respect to the Miami Tribe (Delaware, Kickapoo, Miami, Mound Builders, Piankashaw, Potawatomi, Shawnee, and Wea), past, present, and future, and the Wea Peoples continuing presence in the homeland and throughout their historical diaspora. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.

This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well. Without them, we would not have access to this gathering and to this dialogue. We take this opportunity to thank and honor the original caretakers of this land.

La Casita Student Resource Center is a space for those interested in learning more about the Hispanic and Latin cultures. La Casita will work closely with the Hispanic Latino Alliance student organization.

La Casita was developed to give voice to the rich heritage of the Hispanic/Latin cultures. La Casita is the hub of cultural programs, activities, awareness building, and celebration. La Casita focuses on:

Assisting in the retention and graduation of multicultural students by fostering a sense of community through intellectual, social, and cultural exchange
Providing and promoting safe spaces for challenging dialogue about students’ experiences and concerns

Hispanic Latino Alliance (HLA) is a group of students who welcome others who are interested in Latino/Hispanic cultures and Spanish language. We are committed to succeed scholarly within all students, develop leadership, conspire with other organizations on campus and participate in community service.

Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Incorporated (Gamma Phi Omega) was founded in April 17, 1991 on the campus of Indiana University.. Gamma Phi Omega strives to unite sisters in the principles of achieving academic excellence, serving the communities in which we live and learn, preserving the sacred bond of sisterhood among women, and uplifting and advancing a cultural awareness among Latinos and those in our global communities.

Hispanic Heritage Month

The idea for Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated throughout the latter half of September and the first half of October, began as a way to promote the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans — specifically, those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Communities mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities.Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from Septebmer 15 to October 15.The theme for 2021, developed by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) is “ESPERANZA: A CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE AND HOPE”".

How did Hispanic Heritage Month begin?

The contributions of Hispanics in the United States are many, and in an effort to recognize and celebrate those who helped shaped this nation, President Lyndon B. Johnson instituted Nation Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968.

This provided activities and ceremonies to create awareness of the very great part Hispanic Americans have had to play in adding to the prosperity and importance of this country. And then in 1988, the weeklong observance was extended into National Hispanic Heritage Month.

When is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Rather than last for a certain month, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th. This date was chosen as it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence in this period and the month also ends after Columbus Day, and the Day of the Races, which is a cultural and public holiday in many Latin American countries.

How is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated?

The monthlong period is a time to learn about the people who have influenced America in such a great way and learn about the culture that has significantly influenced American culture. During the month Hispanic Heritage is celebrated in many ways, with events such as parades, art exhibitions, concerts and traditional Hispanic food fairs.

Hispanic Culture

The term Hispanic was coined as a way to classify those people of Latin American and Spanish origin, whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The term is often used incorrectly in the United States as a racial classification instead of a regional one.

Someone who is Hispanic can be of Indian, African, European, or Asian descent and because of the stereotypes and misconceptions, there are many Hispanics that are not recognized as such. Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle), and Jean-Michel Basquiat, are all of Hispanic ancestry but are never regarded as Hispanic.

Did you know?

The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2019 was 60.6 million, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 18.5% of the nation’s total population. Twelve states had a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2019 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

For more information regarding the programs offer by La Casita, please contact the Graduate Assistant Sai Sumanth Bondu <sbondu@sycamores.mikeshiner.com>