Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Honoring the history, culture and contributions of Native American communities
About Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and recognize the invaluable contributions of Native American communities to our country’s history, culture, and society. Join us as we celebrate the heritage, achievements, and resilience of Native American peoples through various on-campus events, lectures, and activities.
Featured Events
- 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).
Why Celebrate Native American Heritage Month?
This month offers an opportunity to learn about Native American history, celebrate the resilience of Indigenous communities, and build awareness about cultural preservation and advocacy. By participating in these events, we build connections and foster understanding within our campus community.
Get Involved
Volunteer for Events
Engage with Native American Heritage Month activities by signing up to volunteer. Volunteers are needed to assist with event setup, organization, and outreach.
Learn More
Discover resources, articles, and recommended readings that highlight Native American heritage, issues, and contributions.