Four hundred and forty people from the SDSU community and Brookings came together Feb. 21 for Nepal Nite 2010, organized by the Nepalese Student Association (NeSA).

“This is a time for learning, a time for sharing, and a time for some of us to expand our horizons,” SDSU President David Chicoine said during his opening remarks.

NeSA played a video during the program in which members of the SDSU community were asked what they know about Nepal, and many did not know much about the country.

“The responses we got were not very enthusiastic, which reiterates the importance of events such as Nepal Nite” said Umit Shrestha, sociology graduate student and co-host of the event. “We want the people to know where we come from.”

Those who attended Sunday night’s event learned plenty of information, aside from watching the students’ song and dance routines, viewing the cultural attire and eating authentic Nepalese food.

For example, in Nepal it is considered rude for a man to compliment a woman on her looks or try shaking her hand if he does not know her. It is also rude to call a person that is older than you by their first name.

“Since we have a significant number of students from Nepal going to SDSU, I think it is necessary for us to showcase our culture to the community,” Shrestha said. “And since the SDSU community has wholeheartedly welcomed all Nepalese students, it is necessary to give them a peek into our culture.”

Jordan Long, geography student at SDSU, attended Nepal Nite last year and decided to come back.

“I came for the food, the entertainment and to support my friends,” Long said.

Shrestha said it took an “immense” amount of time to organize the sold out event.

“Right from designing the tickets and flyers to determining the menu, it takes real hard work and dedication.”

After taking part in the 20th Annual Wacipi Powwow grand entrance Saturday afternoon, SDSU President David Chicoine announced plans to launch an American Indian Education and Cultural Center on campus. Chicoine said the center, which will temporarily be based in the SDSU Foundation Building beginning this summer, will expand the reach of the university.

“[The center] is not just for American Indian students?It will provide all students with a culturally diverse opportunity,” said Chicoine. “We want faculty and students to be engaged in the center’s evolution.”

The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office will be working with Student Affairs to lead the effort, which will include a fundraising campaign for the new facility, Chicoine said.

Once the powwow began, members of the audience browsed the vendor tables and ate Indian tacos, nachos and other treats while the performers danced.

Darla Bielfeldt and her husband attended Saturday’s powwow in Frost Arena with four of their five children.

“We wanted to show the kids some of the history and culture of the area,” said Bielfeldt, who said learning about other cultures is just one of the perks of living near a large university.

Head Judge Jolene Arrow has attended the powwow at SDSU for all 20 years as a dancer, a judge or to watch her children perform. Arrow judges on the design and color of the dancers’ regalia, their style of dancing and how much work went into their performance. Aside from South Dakota, she said performers came from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and other surrounding states.

John LeRoy, president of SDSU’s Native American Club, said the two-day event takes a year to plan.

“As soon as this one is over, we’ll start planning for the next one,” LeRoy said.