500 Nations Screenings Begin Monday, October 27

SALISBURY, MD---From the arrival of the Europeans through modern times, Native American cultures have been an integral part of the United States. As part of its Fall Cultural Events Series, “A Celebration of Native American Peoples,” Salisbury University presents 500 Nations, an eight-film series directed by documentary filmmaker Jack Leustig, starting 8 p.m. Monday, September 27, in Caruthers Hall Auditorium. Hosted by Kevin Costner and narrated by Gregory Harrison, the series also features the voices of actors Wes Studi, Edward James Olmos and Patrick Stewart. In addition to chronicling the history of Native Americans, the series provides virtual tours of famed Native American cities including Pueblo Bonito, Cahokia, Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza. The first installment, “The Ancestors,” explores surprising early cultures of North America, including Chokia, the largest city in the United States before 1800. Other installments are scheduled on consecutive Mondays as follows:                 October 4: "Mexico" - Through revealing eyewitness accounts, follow the rise and fall of the great Aztec Empire.                                                                                                        October 11: "The Clash of Cultures" - Who met Columbus in the New World? Find out in a program that includes De Soto’s plundering march through the southern United States. October 18: "Invasion of the Coast" – Find out about how Thanksgiving really began, the true Pocahontas story, the bloodiest of all colonial Indian wars and more. October 25: "Cauldron of War" - Trade transforms the Native American world. The American Revolution devastates the Iroquois, the oldest democracy on the continent.                                                        November 1: "Removal" - Tecumsch stands against the tide.  The Cherokee and other southern nations are forced west of the Mississippi. November 8: "Roads Across the Plains" - Missions take hold in California. Gold rushers pour in from the East and Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and others are caught in between. November 15: “Attack on Culture” - Chief Joseph, Cochise and Geronimo resist confinement.  The very cultures of Indian nations are placed under siege. All films begin at 8 p.m. in Caruthers Hall Auditorium. Sponsored by TIG Productions and the Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs, the series is free and the public is cordially invited. For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.