Heritage University fundraiser to feature presidential reunion and sneak peek at new Adelante STEM Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University fundraiser to feature presidential reunion and sneak peek at new Adelante STEM Center

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University will host its 39th Annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, June 7, 2025, bringing together its past, present, and future presidents for a celebration of student achievement, community, and innovation. The university’s premier fundraising event for student scholarships will also include an exclusive preview of the new Adelante STEM Center, located in the Kathleen Ross, SNJM Center.

This year’s event marks a historic occasion as all four university presidents—Founding President Kathleen Ross, SNJM, Second President John Bassett, current President Andrew Sund, and incoming President Christopher Gilmer—will come together to celebrate Heritage’s mission and continued growth.

Guests will enjoy an evening of fine dining and entertainment, including hors d’oeuvres, artisan cuisine, exquisite desserts, fine wines, and craft beer, served throughout various locations on the Heritage University campus. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and tickets are $200 per person.

The evening will also feature inspiring stories from current students, as well as cultural performances from a mariachi band and a Native American drum group, honoring the rich heritage of the Yakima Valley community.

For those unable to attend in person, the Scholarship Dinner will be live streamed on the university’s website, ensuring everyone can support student scholarships and be part of this special evening.

For ticket purchases, live stream access, and additional event details, visit: Heritage.edu/Bounty. For more information, contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University to hold Class of 2025 Commencement at Yakima Valley SunDome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University to hold Class of 2025 Commencement at Yakima Valley SunDome

Yakima, Wash. – Heritage University will celebrate the Class of 2025 at Commencement on Saturday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred upon students graduating from the Heritage Toppenish campus and the Tri-Cities regional site. Overall, 181 students earned their degrees at Heritage this year.

JoDe Goudy, who is a deeply rooted Yakama leader, visionary, and advocate dedicated to preserving and advancing his Native culture, the environment, and future generations, will present this year’s commencement address. He is the owner and founder of Redthought, a Native-owned organization committed to fostering respectful relationships with Mother Earth and ensuring a sustainable future for all generations.

A former Chairman of the Yakama Tribal Council, Mr. Goudy has an extensive history of service to his people, having shaped and led initiatives to address crucial social, cultural, and environmental issues. Currently, he serves as the Vice-Chairman of Se’Si’le, a non-profit organization focused on protecting the rights and ways of life of Native nations. Goudy’s professional journey includes significant work in both the corporate world and the realm of Native leadership. His life’s work has been dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples, including challenging the Doctrine of Christian Discovery through legal and diplomatic channels, from the Yakama Nation to the Vatican. His work with Redthought is driven by a desire to bring clarity and coherence to the global conversation on sustainability, justice, and the respect for traditional ways of life. Through his experiences, Goudy has fostered a deep understanding of identity, reality, and the interconnectedness of all people and the environment. His personal reflections and advocacy are centered around powerful questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is? What isn’t? Why? These questions guide his efforts to unite diverse communities in creating meaningful change.|

Heritage University will present the 2024 Violet Lumley Rau Outstanding Alumnus Award to Maria Zavic Batarao. Batarao currently serves as the Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Assessment at the Wapato School District, where her leadership has been instrumental in improving educational systems and student outcomes. Her career in education is as diverse as it is inspiring, beginning as a classroom teacher, evolving into a Reading Coach, and later becoming the pioneering principal of Simcoe Elementary School before settling into her current position. Her journey reflects a deep and enduring dedication to serving the students and families of her community.

Batarao’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She serves as the advisor for the Filipino American Community of the Yakima Valley’s Batang Wapato Youth Group, using the performing arts to help young people explore and celebrate their cultural heritage. Her work ensures that Filipino traditions are honored and passed down, creating a bridge between generations and cultures. She is a respected educational leader and a compassionate and selfless community advocate. Her humility, kindness, and genuine care for others have earned her the admiration of colleagues, students, and families alike. She exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership that defines Heritage University alumni.

The Yakima Valley SunDome is located at 1301 South Fair Ave. in Yakima. Parking is free. Additional information is available online at https://heritage.edu/commencement. For more information, contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@Heritage.edu.

# # #

Joint Statement from Heritage University and Educational Service District 105 on the Premature Closure of the Yakima Grow Your Own Consortium

Joint Statement from Heritage University and Educational Service District 105 on the Premature Closure of the Yakima Grow Your Own Consortium

Yakima, WA [May 2, 2025] —On April 29, 2025, Educational Service District 105 (ESD 105) and Heritage University received notification from the U.S. Department of Education that the federal funding for the Yakima Valley Grow Your Own Consortium and Masters in Mental Health Counseling will be discontinued.

The grants and this partnership between ESD 105 and Heritage University are designed to address the critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals in South Central Washington by cultivating a locally trained workforce dedicated to serving the region’s schools and communities. Through Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master in Mental Health Counseling (MMHC) pathways, the initiative supported candidates from underserved communities to become school social workers and behavioral health providers in the very regions they call home.

The program has already demonstrated significant success:

17 students are on track to graduate with their MSW and are set to complete school-based internships in May.
18 students are completing their first year in the MMHC program and are scheduled to begin school-based internships this August.
These future professionals represent a vital step forward in filling the mental health gaps in our region’s schools.

The federal funds supported a goal to graduate 20 MSW per academic year and 50 MMHC professionals over its duration to work in school-based settings, positions that are critically needed in Yakima County and surrounding areas.

As an example, the school counselor-to-student ratio in several area districts exceeds 1:1,000, with some districts employing no school social workers at all. The recommended national ratio for school counselors is 250:1.

The need for mental health services among youth in our region is urgent. According to the 2022 Healthy Youth Survey:

57.1% of 8th-grade students from the ten districts participating in our consortium expressed worries about their family losing jobs due to the pandemic (vs. 38.8% statewide).
50.6% of 12th graders reported no contact with a school counselor in the past year.
14.2% of 8th-grade students reported not feeling hopeful, and 12.8% had attempted suicide in the past year, significantly higher than state averages.

In a rural region already facing systemic barriers to behavioral health care, this loss disrupts the pipeline for trained school-based mental health professionals; it also threatens long-term efforts to create sustainable, culturally responsive mental health services.

“The loss of these grants will have lasting, negative impacts on our schools and communities,” said Emily Nelson, Executive Director of Student Support, at Educational Service District 105. “We already face significant delays and barriers in youth access to behavioral health services, and these grants were designed to address those challenges by bringing more qualified professionals into schools and communities.”

Heritage University and ESD 105 are currently working to support enrolled students and are appealing the decision by the Department of Education to reinstate funding as well as actively seeking alternative funding and partnership opportunities to preserve this essential work.

“Heritage University is fully committed to maintaining the Masters of Social Work and Masters of Mental Health Counseling degree programs,” said Andrew Sund, President of Heritage University. “The loss of this funding will make it more challenging for us to gain access to highly skilled school-based supervision for placements. We will also see fewer school-based practitioners to meet the needs of the local school districts.”

This is not the end of our commitment. It is a critical reminder that our students, families, and schools deserve the same access to care and support as those in better-funded regions. We remain dedicated to that vision.

For more information, please contact Dr. Melissa Hill, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs (509) 969-4013 or hill_m@heritage.edu.

About ESD 105:

ESD 105 supports 25 public school districts and more than 21 state-approved private and tribal schools in South Central Washington. The agency serves the expressed needs of those schools in coordinating and conducting cooperative programs to benefit the approximately 66,000 K-12 students who are served in Kittitas and Yakima counties and portions of Grant and Klickitat counties. As one of nine ESDs in the state, ESD 105 carries out liaison activities between local school districts, the Washington State Office of Public Instruction, and the State Board of Education.

About Heritage University:

Heritage University is a private, non-profit, regionally accredited institution of higher learning offering undergraduate and graduate education from its primary campus in Toppenish, Wash. and from regional sites in Kennewick, Wash. and Pasco, Wash. Heritage University is located on the Yakama Nation and is both a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institution. For more information, visit heritage.edu.

# # #

All Nations Student Social Powwow returns to Heritage University on April 19, 2025

Heritage University Powwow on April 19, 2025, featuring dance, drumming, vendors, and a salmon bake.

Heritage University All Nations Student Social POWWOW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All Nations Student Social Powwow returns to Heritage University on April 19, 2025

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University’s All Nations Student Social Powwow is returning to Heritage University on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Hosted by the Heritage University Native American Club (HUNAC), the powwow celebrates Indigenous culture. This social gathering is a free event and open to all.

The powwow will highlight dancers and drum groups. Dancers will perform traditional, fancy, jingle, and grass dancing, with youths to seniors participating. The first ten participants in each category including men, women, teen girls, and teen boys will receive bundles of traditional foods and medicines and HUNAC regalia. Tiny tot dance participants will receive gifts. Drum groups are welcome. Vendor set up begins at 8:00 a.m. and have first come first serve access to electricity. Dancer and drummer registrations open at 10:00 a.m., with the Grand Entry occurring at 11:00 a.m.

HUNAC President and lead event organizer Anany Scott is thrilled for the return of the powwow to Heritage University. “We are excited for this event which has turned into an annual tradition of sharing our culture with the campus community and beyond. Our event has continued to grow, and we hope to see many more people at the powwow this year. Year after year, our vendors have contributed so much to the spirit of our event, and we are looking forward to their return. We are also grateful to our sponsors, the Presenting sponsor, Johnson Scholarship Foundation and South Central Workforce which is a substantial underwriter of the event. We thank them for their support,” said Scott.

Other highlights will include a Missing and Murdered Indigenous (MMIW) Dance Special, an Easter Egg hunt for kids ages one to 10 and a salmon bake. Organizers invite vendors to sell food, arts and crafts, and general merchandise during the event. Yakama Nation agencies and non-profit organizations are also invited to participate in a community resource fair. Student clubs from Heritage, area high schools or other colleges and universities are welcome to host informational or fundraising booths. To learn more about vendor requirements or to apply to be a vendor, please visit please visit heritage.edu/powwow.

For more information or help with interviews, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

# # #

Dr. Shelby Clark named Gaye and Jim Pigott Endowed Chair of Nursing at Heritage University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Shelby Clark appointed as the Gaye and Jim Pigott Endowed Chair of Nursing
at Heritage University

Dr. Shelby Clark

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University administrators have announced that effective March 1, 2025, Dr. Shelby Clark will become the new Gaye and Jim Pigott Endowed Chair of Nursing at Heritage. Dr. Clark replaces Dr. Christina Nyirati who founded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Heritage University in 2014. Dr. Nyirati retired from Heritage University after the spring 2024 semester.

Dr. Clark is a distinguished alumnus of that mission, graduating with one of the first cohorts from the BSN program at Heritage in 2019. In 2022, Clark earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health & Systems Leadership at the University of Washington. Growing up on the Yakama Indian Reservation and an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, Clark always knew she wanted to be a nurse like her aunt and grandmother, having a deep passion for service to her community and other tribal communities. Clark began her nursing education wanting to specialize in critical care. However, a year of clinical rotations in an Indian Health Service (IHS) facility during nursing school (where Native American patients appreciated having a nurse who was like them) changed her focus to improving public health through systems and policy changes. She can make strides towards those goals in her new role at Heritage.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to advance the mission of our BSN program. What sets our program apart is its focus on addressing the healthcare needs of our community through active patient participation. We believe that patients should be partners in their care, not just recipients of instructions on improving their health,” said Dr. Clark. “My connection to this program gives me a unique perspective—I am a product of it myself. I am passionate about inspiring our students to strive for excellence in their nursing careers and to pursue further education, whether through a master’s or doctorate. In the future, some of these students may return as faculty, sharing their expertise and experiences with the next generation of nurses.”

The endowment supporting the chair of the department was created by a $2,000,000 gift to Heritage University by Gaye and Jim Pigott, in 2023. The Pigotts have been champions of the University, supporting numerous programs including student scholarships, academic programs and capital construction projects on campus such as the dining commons on campus which bears their names. “We are delighted by the appointment of Dr. Clark and know that she will continue to advance the health of multicultural families and communities in rural environments through excellence in nursing education, service, practice, and community-based research established for the program by Dr. Nyirati” stated Jim Pigott.

Heritage University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Melissa Hill said Dr. Clark is just the right person for the chair of the Nursing department. “Dr. Clark brings a unique perspective to the position of chair. She personifies the nursing program’s emphasis on cultural inclusivity and its sensitivities to our Native communities,” said Dr. Hill. “Shelby is one of 80 skilled and capable nurses who have graduated from our B.S.N. program. We see great things to come from the program under Dr. Clark’s leadership.”

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University Announces the Appointment of Its Fourth President

Dr. Christopher Gilmer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University Announces the Appointment of Its Fourth President

Toppenish, WA – The Board of Directors of Heritage University is pleased to announce the appointment of its fourth president, Dr. Christopher Gilmer, effective July 1, 2025.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Chris as the next President of Heritage University. He brings a wealth of valuable experience in serving historically-underserved, rural, first-generation students. Chris has served as president of two Appalachian universities, West Virginia University at Parkersburg and West Virginia University Potomac State College. He has served as a faculty member and administrator at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities including Tougaloo College, in Jackson, Mississippi, where he is currently Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Social Justice and has served on the college’s Board of Trustees, as well as one Hispanic-Serving Institution, Adams State University in Colorado, where he was Vice President for Academic Affairs. He is the founder of the National Institutes for Historically-Underserved Students.

Chris’s passion for higher education and commitment to expanding opportunities for underserved communities make him the ideal leader to continue to shape the future of Heritage as a vital resource for the region.

When asked about stepping into this role, Chris said, “Heritage University creates access to the education that makes dreams come true. My family sacrificed everything for me to be the first to attend college, and my life is living proof of their sacrifice. Education is the great equalizer because it unlocks transformational power in families and communities. It changes lives, and since I can never repay my ancestors, I am committed to paying it forward. After meeting the Heritage family, the students, faculty, staff, directors, alumni, and friends of the university, I can truly think of no place in the world that I would rather continue my mission and join it with the mission of this special place and its warm and welcoming people. I am filled with hope and gratitude.”

The selection of a new president is one of the HU Board of Directors’ most significant responsibilities, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the WittKieffer Executive Search team for their exceptional work in conducting this comprehensive national search, which identified outstanding candidates who understood and believed in Heritage University’s mission. We also want to acknowledge and thank the search committee, Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and the entire Heritage family for their integral roles in this process.

As we prepare for this transition, we extend our most profound appreciation to Dr. Andrew Sund who has provided extraordinary leadership over the past eight years. Under his guidance, Heritage University has continued to offer excellent educational opportunities and services to regional students. Thank you, Dr. Sund, for your unwavering dedication and service.

The transition between Dr. Sund and Dr. Gilmer will begin soon, ensuring a smooth and collaborative process. We look forward to introducing Chris and his family to the Heritage community and are confident that his leadership will ensure continued progress and innovation.

Heritage University remains deeply committed to continuing to empower a multicultural and inclusive student body. Rooted in the homeland of the Yakama Nation, Heritage University embraces transformational, student-centered education that cultivates leadership and a commitment to a more just society. We are confident that Chris will build on the foundation established by all who have led and invested in Heritage University.

For more information or for help with coordinating interviews, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 (c) or (509) 865-0371 (o) or mance_d@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University to begin $2.5 million remodel of Kathleen Ross Center adding STEM Learning Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artist renderings of Kathleen Ross Center remodel after completion

Renderings of the STEM Learning Center remodel in the Kathleen Ross, SNJM Center. Top picture is the view towards the Don North Library; bottom shows the view towards the entrance to the left and the Academic Skills Center to the right.

Heritage University to begin $2.5 million remodel of Kathleen Ross Center adding STEM Learning Center

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University will soon embark on an ambitious remodel project of the Kathleen Ross, SNJM Center to begin on December 16, 2024. When finished, the building will also be the home of a STEM Learning Center to include new math and computer science classrooms, a maker space, and study rooms complete with new furniture. The total cost of the project is $2.5 million, with $1.5 million provided by a grant titled Adelante STEM from the U.S. Department of Education, and $1 million from a private donation.

This remodel project offers several key benefits, with enhanced STEM education opportunities being the first. The new Adelante STEM Center will significantly improve the university’s offerings in STEM fields, providing state-of-the-art math and computer science classrooms with the latest teaching technology. These upgrades will foster a more conducive learning environment for STEM students, helping them gain practical skills and hands-on experience.

Another benefit to students will be the proximity of the new STEM Learning Center to the Academic Skills Center (ASC). With the two being next to each other, students will have access to the ASC’s tutoring services, the ASC’s collaborative workspaces, and technology offerings.

The remodel project will also improve the library and campus experience. While the Donald North Library, located in the Ross Center, will be temporarily affected during construction, the long-term result will be an enhanced library experience for all users and visitors. The remodel will create a more modern, functional space for academic work, research, and community engagement, improving the overall campus environment and student experience.

Adriana Villafan, the Director of TRIO & Adelante STEM Program at Heritage, is confident the upgrades will contribute to the growth and success of the university by better supporting STEM education. “Students will benefit from a learning environment crucial for success in today’s competitive job market,” said Villafan. “The STEM center will help students be better prepared to enter industries that demand technical expertise and innovation.”

During construction, the Don North Library will continue to be accessible to students, faculty, and staff. Construction is scheduled to be completed in mid-April. For more information, contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

# # #

Actor Adam Beach to visit Heritage University

Actor Adam Beach to visit Heritage University

Toppenish, Wash. – Actor, advocate and motivational speaker Adam Beach will share stories of growing up on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve in Manitoba, Canada as part of his presentation on Friday, November 22, 2024, in Smith Family Hall at Heritage University. Beach is a member of the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwe) nation and was raised near Ashern, Manitoba. He grew up with his parents Sally and Dennis Beach, and his two brothers. His childhood was marked by tragedy. His mother was killed by a drunk driver, and his father, who was an alcoholic, drowned weeks later. Adam and his brothers then lived with their grandmother and later with an aunt and uncle in Winnipeg.

Beach began his career at 16 when he attended the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg. Since then, Beach has appeared in over 60 films and television programs. He’s won Best Actor awards for Dance Me Outside (1995) at the American Indian Film Festival; My Indian Summer (1995) at the First American in the Arts Awards; and Smoke Signals (1998) at the San Diego World Film Festival. His performance in the Academy Award-nominated Clint Eastwood-directed Flags of Our Fathers (2006) earned him two Best Supporting Actor Award nominations (Broadcast Film Critics Association and Satellite Awards). Beach has been further nominated for three awards for his role in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007), including a Golden Globe.

Other performances include Joe Dirt (2001), and the John Woo World War II war epic Windtalkers (2002) in which he co-starred with Nicolas Cage. He headlined the cast in the Walt Disney production Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale (1994); featured in John Singleton’s Four Brothers (2005); and starred with Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in the science fiction-western smash hit Cowboys & Aliens (2011). He had a recurring starring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Big Love (2006). In 2016, he played Christopher Weiss/Slipknot in the supervillain film Suicide Squad (2016).

Beach’s presentation will take place at Heritage University’s from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is open to the public. For more information and help with interviews, please contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

# # #

Heritage University honors Native American elders and welcomes Indigenous actor Adam Beach as part of Native American Heritage Month celebrations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University honors Native American elders and welcomes Indigenous actor Adam Beach as part of Native American Heritage Month celebrations

Native American elders being honored this year include (clockwise from top left) Warren Cloud, Carol Craig, Esther Moses-Hyipeer and Elmer Schuster

Toppenish, Wash. – November is Native American Heritage Month, and Heritage University is celebrating with a variety of events that honor Native Americans in our communities, including the Honoring Our Elders ceremony, taking place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. During this event, we celebrate four Yakama Nation elders for their lifetime contributions to the Yakama people and their community. This year’s recipients are Warren Cloud, Luxkulkist, Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami, Taleets Esther Moses-Hyipeer and Elmer Schuster, Tomiith.

Warren Cloud Luxkulkist dedicated his life to hard work, using his hands to get the job done. As a trucker, logger, and heavy equipment operator, he provided food, homes, and water essential for life. When called to serve as a Yakama Nation leader, he accepted wholeheartedly. Now, as General Council Chairman, Warren leads with respect for tradition and commitment to the 1855 Treaty, inspiring his community to honor heritage and build a brighter future together.

Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami is a storyteller and educator dedicated to sharing Native truths about the environment and treaty rights. Her work at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife highlights efforts to restore salmon runs and educates non-tribal communities on Yakama fishing rights from the Treaty of 1855. As a Yakama Nation Review reporter, she ensures her community receives honest information on key issues, fostering understanding of their heritage and rights. Carol’s commitment empowers her community and inspires future generations to protect these connections.

Taleets, Esther Moses-Hyipeer grew up deeply connected to her culture, learning from her elders the importance of traditional foods and community care. Her dedication to the Yakama people is evident in her work with the Yakama Nation Tribal School, Language Program, Gaming Commission, and Tribal Council. She has championed initiatives honoring veterans, providing housing for homeless families, and addressing addiction. Additionally, she advocates for unified tribal healthcare to support holistic well-being. Guided by the wisdom of her ancestors and the Treaty of 1855, Taleets inspires others to uphold their heritage and support their community.

Elmer Schuster, Tomiith has left a lasting impact on the Yakima Valley and its people. A skilled carpenter since the 1960s, he’s constructed vital infrastructure, including highway overpasses and irrigation dams that support both transport and agriculture. He also helped build longhouses for cultural ceremonies and youth camps that provide meaningful experiences. As leader of the Yakama Nation Housing Authority, he directed teams that built homes for tribal members, supporting community resilience. His contributions are more than structures; they are symbols of strength, tradition, and hope for future generations.

The annual Honoring Our Elders ceremony will be held in Heritage University’s Smith Family Hall on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. This event is by invitation only. Also, their stories are featured in a series of full-page ads, each dedicated to a specific elder, that are running in the Yakama Nation Review through November. Framed copies of these ads are being added to the permanent display of honorees at the university in the Violet Lumley Rau Center.

Other events Heritage is holding in November in observance of Native American Heritage Month as designated by President George H. W. Bush in 1990 include:

Native American Heritage Month Flag Raising Ceremony
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 8:00 a.m.
Location: Heritage University main entrance
Description: Heritage University will raise the flags of the Yakama Nation, the state of Washington and the United States during a ceremony featuring the Yakama Warriors.

Honoring Our Elders (Invitation only)
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: we celebrate four Yakama Nation elders for their lifetime contributions to the Yakama people and their community. This year’s elders are Warren Cloud, Luxkulkist, Carol Craig, Nukshay Xwaami, Taleets Esther Moses-Hyipeer and Elmer Schuster, Tomiith.

MMIW Event by Heritage University Native American Club (HUNAC)
Date & Time: Friday, November 8, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: HU student club HUNAC is organizing a program aimed at increasing awareness on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Native Flute Music by Jeremy Garcia
Date & Time: Friday, November 8, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Jeremy Garcia (Yakama) will perform Native flute music during a noontime concert in Smith Family Hall

Roc Your Mocs Week
Date & Time: November 10-16, 2024
Location: Campus
Description: Rock Your Mocs is an expression of tribal identity where we invite people to wear moccasins the week of November 10-15 to celebrate Indigenous traditions and culture around the world.

Indigenous Beading Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday, November 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
Location: Patricia Wade Temple Room
Description: Participants will learn how to create beaded artwork while learning more about the Orange Shirt Society and Redress Project.

Rez Ball Mini premiere
Date & Time: Friday, November 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Heritage University will host a Hollywood-style showing of the movie “Rez Ball” currently playing on Netflix. The cast includes Devin Sampson-Craig (Yakama) of White Swan, WA.

Frybread Cooking Class
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Eagle’s Cafe
Description: Student club HU Masterchefs will teach participants how to make frybread.

AIBL Holiday Bazaar
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 2:-00 p.m.
Location: Patricia Wade Temple Room
Description: The Holiday Bazaar presented by the American Indigenous Business Leaders Chapter at Heritage University will be held in the Patricia Wade Temple Room.

Jeremy Garcia & Students Flute Concert
Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Native musician Jeremy Garcia (Yakama) and his students will perform a concert of flute music in Smith Family Hall.

Heritage University welcomes actor Adam Beach
Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Smith Family Hall
Description: Actor, advocate and motivational speaker Adam Beach will share stories of growing up on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve in Manitoba, Canada as part of his presentation at Heritage University. Beach is a member of the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwe) nation and was raised near Ashern, Manitoba. Beach began his career at 16 when he attended the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg. Since then, Beach has appeared in over 60 films and television programs including Dance Me Outside(1995), My Indian Summer (1995), Smoke Signals (1998), Windtalkers (2002), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Cowboys & Aliens(2011), Suicide Squad (2016), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and Big Love (2006).

All Native American Heritage Month events at Heritage University are free and open to the public. For more information on these events, contact Valerie Sampson at (509) 865-5000 ext. 1741 or Sampson_V1@heritage.edu. For help with interviews, contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@heritage.edu.

# # #