Native American Observance, Personal to GSFC Engineer

Photo By Pat Izzo,Code 293
	Marcellus Proctor and Wanda David, Native American Program Manager, look over the NASA poster recognizing John Herrington as the first declared Native American astronaut to fly aboard a space shuttle.

For Marcellus Proctor, electronic engineer at GSFC, the national recognition of American Indian Heritage Month has become a personal initiative that started while he was a middle school student in the Prince George's County public school system.

"While an eighth grade student, I received a letter from the Prince George's County Education Office stating that I was a Native American," said Proctor. "I was really surprise because up until that time I thought I was 100 percent Afro-American," he added. Wanting to prove their findings right or wrong, Proctor began a search for his ancestral roots.

"In doing my research I realized some common traits in my behavior that are common with Native American culture," said Proctor. He also learned that he is a direct descendant of the Piscataway Nation, who once roamed the countryside of North America as members of the Algonkin (or Algonquin) Nation. "The Piscataway Nation eventually settled in southern Maryland many years ago," said Proctor.

After graduating from Eleanor Roosevelt high school, Proctor entered the Native American Technical and Office Experience Program (NATOE) for two years under the Prince George's Indian Education Office. He then participated in the Summer Institute in Engineering and Computer Applications (SIECA) Program for two years at Bowie State University. Both programs were held at GSFC.

Proctor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park in 1998. He is pursuing an advanced engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University. Proctor works at GSFC as an electronics engineer on the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program and is an advisor to the Goddard Native American Program.

"I think that it is great that there is a month to celebrate the contributions Native Americans have made," said Proctor. "It is also a great time for me because it allows me an opportunity to share our culture with the Goddard community," add Proctor. This is the second year that he has been instrumental in coordinating Goddard activities.

Proctor insists that there were those who attempted to help and inspire him early in his life and now he is just trying to reciprocate. "Working as an advisor for the program here affords me the opportunity to educate and motive," insists Proctor. "I also attend science fairs and other youth gatherings in an attempt to motivate our youth," he added. Proctor said that he now recognizes this as another Native American trait that he practices. "A predominate Native American belief is not to horde but to freely share your gifts with the community," Proctor concluded.

Proctor was an invited guest to Kennedy Space Center last week for a ceremony commemorating the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-113, scheduled for Monday. This is the first space mission for John Herrington (Chickasaw), the first declared Native American astronaut who is a tribal member to fly into outer space.

For more details about this year's activities at Goddard check the website http://eeo.gsfc.nasa.gove/nap/index.html

The link for this year's presidential proclamation is http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/11/20021101-7.html

Upcoming scheduled events in observance of Native American Month:

• Wednesday, November 20, 2002
  9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Building 3, Auditorium
  Indian Jewelry and Cultural Items Sale

  Come and choose from a wide selection of Native American jewelry and cultural items that will be for sale.

• Stay and enjoy the Bear Creek Drummers and Singers while you are there from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The event will feature traditional Native American dances, drumming, and stories by members of the Monacan Indian Nation of Virginia.

• Thursday, November 21, 2002
  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Building 8, Room 235
  Brown Bag Lunch Video Series

  Come and enjoy a variety of videos that highlight Native American history, culture, and contributions.
  

For more details on these events check the website http://eeo.gsfc.nasa.gov/nap/index.html or call Wanda David, Native American Program Manager, at 6-1091.