Topeka ? Officials from Haskell Indian Nations University, several American Indian tribes and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday kicked off Native American Heritage Month during a celebration at the Capitol.

From left, Secretary Jim Garner of the Kansas Department of Human Resources, Dan Wildcat, of Haskell Indian Nations University, and Gail DuPois, executive director of the Kansas Office of Native American Affairs, talk at the Statehouse following the Kansas Native American Heritage Celebration.

Sebelius read a proclamation urging Kansans to learn more about “the contributions of our continent’s first inhabitants.”

Dan Wildcat, chairman of American Indian studies at Haskell, participated in the event.

Later, at a meeting of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations, Sebelius’ general counsel, Matt All, said that the governor was trying to improve communications between the state and the four federally recognized tribes in Kansas.

State Sen. Lana Oleen, R-Manhattan, chairwoman of the committee, said that panel was also a venue “to share conversation instead of confrontation.”