Native American Heritage Month | Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University Celebrates

Native American Heritage Month

All are invited to help Southern Connecticut State University celebrate Native American Heritage Month. During this month, we bring awareness to the important contributions of Native peoples. There are a number of programs planned to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced historically and in the present. We hope you will join us.

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter, commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "the President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities". This landmark bill honoring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then President Reagan proclaiming November 23-30, 1986, as "American Indian Week". (Data from: Wikipedia)

Today, November is National Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate Native Americans rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It’s also a time to educate the public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced. Join us as the SCSU community celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

Events

Native American & Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month Trivia

Tuesday, November 5, 2024
12pm – 1pm
ASC 2nd Floor
Sponsored by the Interfaith Center
Event Contact: Danielle Campbell

Native Nomenclature... Tribal Trivia... Indigenous Information... The Interfaith Center wants to share some facts with you about Native American and Indigenous Peoples' history. Stop by our tabling event, happening right outside of the Multicultural Center, and test your knowledge on some trivia related to the rich culture and history of Indigenous peoples from the Americas.

Noche de Gala

Thursday, November 7, 2024
8pm –12am
ASC Grand Ballroom
Sponsored by the Organization of Latin American Students

Join OLAS at their annual semi-formal! Each year Noche De Gala highlights and celebrates a different Latin country, and this year SCSU will come together to celebrate La Herencia de La Republica Dominicana, Colombia Y Mexico! Come and enjoy a night of Hispanic foods and dancing to a variety of music (not just Spanish) as we pay tribute to and honor Latin culture! Funds raised from this event will benefit scholarships for incoming Latino students. Get tickets to Noche de Gala.

Little Chief

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
12pm – 1pm
ASC 201
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center
Event Contacts: Gian Melendez, Jonah Craggett

Join the Multicultural Center for a viewing of Little Chief, a short film that tells the story of a Native American woman and a 9-year-old boy on a reservation in Oklahoma. After the movie, chat with the MCC staff about the film, Indigenous culture, some of the issues faced by Native communities today, and how we can better support them.

Indigenous Issues: The Long Conversation

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
4pm – 6pm
ASC Theater
Sponsored by the Latino and Native American Film Festival
Event Contact: Carlos Torre

Join us for this insightful conversation about the complexities, diversity, and rich heritage of Indigenous communities. With special guest speaker Darlene Kascak, Education Coordinator, Institute of American Indian Studies, Traditional Native American Storyteller, Member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, Contributor to Connecticut's Native American Studies Curriculum.

Indigiqueer

Thursday, November 14, 2024
2pm – 3pm
ASC 301
Sponsored by the Sexuality and Gender Equality Center
Event Contact: Serginho Walker, Dusty Rader

Join the SAGE Center for a public screening of the film Indigiqueer, then engage in a roundtable discussion on the compounded issues of being indigenous and queer. What does it mean to be Two Spirit or part of the LGBTQIA+ community and Indigenous? What is the history of Two Spirit and queer identities within Indigenous communities? How can non-Indigenous people be supportive of these identities? We look forward to having you join us!