POCATELLO — Native Heritage Night at Idaho State University recently celebrated both the rich history of American Indians and the future of native people.

    Hosted by Native Americans United, the traditional feast, which included salmon, buffalo stew, fry bread and blueberry pudding, also paid tribute to the local LBGT community.    

    Layha Spoonhunter from Wind River, Wyo., said the push toward higher education in American Indian communities is working, and each year the number of native students attending universities increases.

    Spoonhunter, a sophomore studying political science at ISU, said strong advocacy programs, positive role models and mentoring programs have all contributed to increased college enrollment by American Indians.

    According to the American Indian College Fund, the number of American Indian/Alaska Native students enrolled in colleges and universities more than doubled in the past 30 years, and numbers are up this year by 6 percent following a slight decrease during the past three years.    

    There are currently 140 American Indian students at Idaho State University, but more than twice that many students claim native ancestry.

    ISU spokesman Andrew Taylor said beginning in 2010, students at ISU were able to “re-identify” their race and ethnicity. Students first identified their ethnicity — Hispanic and non-Hispanic — separate from their race, then students were allowed to identify their race or races.

     Students can now choose as many race categories as they desire, Taylor said, and in the fall of 2014, 298 students claimed American Indian lineage.

    Spoonhunter said American Indian communities, which have typically been among the poorest in the nation, are focusing on education as a way out of poverty.

    At Native Heritage Night on Saturday, Spoonhunter was one of several contestants vying for the title of Native Two Spirit ISU and Miss Native ISU.

    Spoonhunter said the second title was added to the evening’s event to honor the LBGT community, traditionally gays, or “two spirits,” were revered in Indian communities. However, as Christianity spread, the esteem they enjoyed was lost, he said.  

    “We want to bring back the respect once paid to them,” Spoonhunter said. “Two Spirits were a very respectable part of our tribe.”

    The contest included interviews and a talent presentation. Spoonhunter wore moccasins adorned with porcupine quills that were crafted by his mother, Wilma Spoonhunter.

    Miss Montana Two Spirit, Joey Wadsworth, wore an elaborately beaded buckskin dress constructed and beaded by family members. Wadsworth said it took a full year to complete the dress.

    Wadsworth, who also does drag shows and special native narration, said American Indians are more tolerant toward members of the LBGT community than non-Indians are.

    “It is considered natural,” Wadsworth said.

    On Saturday, Wadsworth will present “Giving Thanks” at the Clarion Inn at 7:30 p.m.

    Organizer Whitney Cerino, a sophomore studying communication at ISU, said same-sex relationships are not questioned in native cultures and the groups wanted to share that message of tolerance and acceptance.

    “Those relationships are just as natural as straight relationships,” Cerino said.

    Saturday’s event also featured a fashion show by native designer Sun Rose Iron Shell of Colorado.

    Iron Shell combines current trends with native fabric and design.

    Cerino said the club was set to feed about 100 people during the event Saturday, which raised money for the NAU on campus.

    The group will oversee the Northwest Indian Conference in New Mexico next spring. The week-long conference will feature guest speaker Shoni Schimmel of the WNBA.

    “It’s a pleasure and an honor for us to be asked to oversee this event,” Cerino said.