NevadaToday
November is Native American Heritage Month November is Native American Heritage Month, which is often referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. For more than 30 years, our country has commemorated this month as a time to celebrate the culture, achievements, and traditions of Native peoples.
November is Native American Heritage Month
November 7, 2022
Dear Wolf Pack Family,
I hope this message finds you and yours well as we enter the winter months and the holiday season.
November is Native American Heritage Month, which is often referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. For more than 30 years, our country has commemorated this month as a time to celebrate the culture, achievements, and traditions of Native peoples.
The diversity of Native cultures and traditions are a reminder of the importance of the immeasurable contributions Native people make to our campus, community, and state. We are especially proud of the contributions and achievements of Native students, faculty and staff.
In the last year, our University has added additional resources for Native students, faculty, alumni, and community. Below are examples of some notable advances the campus has made:
- In 2022, the Office of Indigenous Relations, led by Director Daphne Emm Hooper, was established for the first time in University history to increase support for Indigenous students, faculty, and staff and to increase the University's collaboration with the tribal communities in Nevada;
- In 2022, the University established a NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Coordinator position to return ancestors and their belongings to their homes and ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations;
- In 2021-22, the University reported that 73 students have utilized the [External PDF];
- In 2021, the University presented Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees to for their tireless efforts in land and cultural preservation;
- In 2022, Residential Life launched its first-ever Indigenous Living Learning Community;
- In 2022, the University’s Indigenous Student Services Coordinator announced the first-ever Miss UNR Indigenous Ambassador, Amelia Glowniak;
- In 2022, Nevada Athletics Inducted the first Native American woman, ;
- In 2022, The Desert Farming Initiative Agricultural Station harvested their first-ever ;
- In 2022, the Native Faculty/Staff group was formed, which has brought together almost 30 people on campus;
- And throughout this academic year, there have been countless examples of amazing achievements by Native students across campus.
The Indigenous Student Services office has several resources available to campus, including information on how to support the Native Student Organization and Native American Heritage Month programming and events.
There are many Native events on campus for everyone to attend this month, including:
- A physical and virtual book display of Native work in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center;
- Native American-First Gen Week Luncheon, Nov. 10, from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Pennington Student Achievement Center, Room 450;
- Multicultural Student Tailgate Social, Nov. 12, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Mackay Stadium;
- Rock Your Mocs Week, Nov. 14-18;
- Author/Scholar visit Beth Piatote, Nov. 17, 3 p.m., Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 323;
- Virtual Museum of Indigenous Basketry, Nov. 19, 4-6 p.m., Great Basin Hall MPR;
- Multicultural Thankstaking Celebration, Nov. 23, 4-6 p.m., JCSU 403.
In addition, Nevada Athletics is partnering with the Native American Alumni chapter and Indigenous Student Services this month. There will be Native recognitions and performances at the following contests:
- Men’s Basketball, Nov. 7 vs. Utah Tech (7 p.m.)
- Football, Nov. 12 vs. Boise State (7:30 p.m.)
- Women's Basketball, Nov. 25-27 at Nugget Classic
We must also always understand and appreciate that our University sits on the traditional homelands of Native people. Our University land acknowledgment speaks to this fact. We extend our deepest appreciation to the Native people for this opportunity.
I also invite you to listen to a very special . Markie’s story is an amazing one and we are grateful for her tireless work on our campus.
This month, and every month, please take the opportunity to learn, listen, and reflect on the remarkable achievements and successes of Native people throughout the community.
Go Pack!
Sincere regards,
Brian Sandoval
President
