Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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November Is Native American Heritage Month
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Feature by: Jeanine Gordon, Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach
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Photo (Gauri Vaidya ’28): Whitman College recently hosted a moccasin making class in preparation for the upcoming “Rock Your Mocs” social media event.
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On December 14, 1915, Red Fox James, rode on horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians and presented endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. Though there is no record of such a national day being proclaimed at the time, since then, there have been several declarations through the years in various states at various times.
In 1990, Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush approved House Joint Resolution 577 and signed Public Law 101-343 designating the month of November officially as the first National American Indian Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month (NAHM).
NAHM encourages mindfulness and celebration of Native American history, culture, traditions and important contributions in society. This month is a time for people to focus on educating themselves and others about Native American Tribes and elevate awareness about their history, challenges and victories within Indian Country, both past and present.
We encourage participation in meaningful ways throughout November (see below).
Whatever activities you choose to participate in, let us all be mindful and celebrate deeply in our hearts. We as Native Americans have a complex history, we have beautiful and rich culture, we have strongly held traditions, we contribute in so many ways. We faced challenges. We overcame them. We continue to be victorious. We have so much to celebrate!
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Suggestions for Celebrating Native American Heritage Month:
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- Attend the Annual First Foods Festival on Saturday, Nov. 9. (Flyer attached.)
- Attend Native American Outreach events and Indigenous Peoples Education & Culture Club events.
- Learn a word or a phrase a day, a week, or for the month from the Umatilla Language Online Dictionary or take a class from a Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Language Teacher.
- Have a social gathering focused on native foods and learn more about the CTUIR First Foods Policy Program.
- Have a storytelling session and read from a book of Native American stories or by a Native American author.
- Hold a CTUIR or Native American Q&A Session.
- Read up on topics like: Treaty of 1855, CTUIR History, Tribal Government/Constitution and Bylaws, Tribal Enterprises.
- Highlight and feature Native American content in your social media posts:
- NAHM Month Art Shows (Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, CTUIR Native Artists, Plateau Tribes Native Artists).
- Native American books and authors and/or crafters (i.e. basket weaving).
- Native American owned businesses (local, state and/or Pacific Northwest).
- Participate in the “Rock Your Mocs” social media event annually on Nov. 15. (Flyer attached.)
- Visit/tour local Native American or related museums, monuments, sites or statues (Tamastslikt/Peo Mox Mox in downtown Walla Walla, Walawala Plaza, Whitman Mission, Frenchtown Historic Site).
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Affinity Space for Students of Color This Week
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Mental Health Counselor Trishann Rice will hold space for students of color on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 1–3 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 8 from 1–2:30 p.m. in the Third Space Center. This is an informal conversation, not a counseling session. (Flyer attached.)
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Take a Break From Election News Today
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Students are invited to drop by the Queer Resource Center in the Reid Campus Center for “Anything But the Election” on Tuesday, Nov. 5 between 4–6 p.m. Spend time playing games, getting crafty and enjoying a hot beverage—and not talking about the election.
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Sitting With Uncertainty This Week
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The Welty Student Health Center invites students to attend one of two “Sitting With Uncertainty” information sessions next week, on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4:30–6 p.m. Learn strategies to deal with heightened anxiety and reduce its impact on your physical and emotional health. Tea and snacks will be provided.
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Affinity Space for LGBTQIA2S+ Students Tomorrow
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Mental Health Counselor Lily Seaman will hold space for LGBTQIA2S+ students on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 2–3:30 p.m. in the Queer Resource Center. This is an informal conversation, not a counseling session. (Flyer attached.)
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During the recent Family Weekend, Whitman’s Alpha Phi sorority hosted its annual Red Dress Soirée at The GG, a historic Walla Walla inn owned by twin Alumnae Advisors. More than $2,200 was raised for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which raises money and awareness for women’s heart health. Philanthropy Chair Andy Garcia ’27 (left) and President Alexandra Mendenhall ’26 (right) helped organize the event.
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Movement That Matters: MELT
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Open Office Hours: Third Space Center
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Affinity Space for Students of Color
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Community Catharsis Session: Election
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Welty Student Health Center
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Open Office Hours With the Intercultural Director
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Hunter Conservatory, Room 307
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Anything But the Election
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Reid Campus Center, Queer Resource Center
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Community Group for Sitting With Uncertainty
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Welty Student Health Center
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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Produced by the Office of Communications, Whitman Today is emailed to Whitman College staff, faculty and students each weekday during the academic year and twice a week during breaks. An archive of previous issues is available online.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other Whitman content to share, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon for the following day’s newsletter. Submissions may be edited and/or held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. Your submission also authorizes use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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