This month, Northwestern will participate in the National Native American Heritage Month, with the help of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), by honoring Native American and Indigenous cultures with 30 days of Indigenous. The entire month of November will be dedicated to acknowledging, learning about, and shedding light on the history and experiences of Native American and Indigenous folks. Programming includes guest speakers, panel discussions, films, social gatherings, theatrical performances and literary forums, and much more. According to MSA, while some of the programming creates space to reflect on the past, most of the events are meant to build community with contemporary Native and Indigenous peoples.
One specific way Northwestern works to reckon with their tainted history is by commemorating the lives lost in the Sand Creek Massacre. This massacre was one of the worst atrocities committed against the Cheyenne and Arapaho people by American soldiers, and John Evans, one of Northwestern’s founders, played a significant role in the horrific incident. Since the discovery of Evans’ involvement, the university has created a day to honor the lives lost and confront their own racist history. This commemoration on November 16 will include an opportunity to learn about the massacre and Northwestern’s place in this history from descendants of the Northern Cheyenne, Northern Arapaho, and Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.
Every day of November will be dedicated towards past, present, and future Native and Indigenous folk. Aaron Golding, Assistant Director of MSA, says this is with the hope that “these days help create visibility for Native Americans on campus and beyond,” and “encourage relationship building with Indigenous Peoples on campus and beyond, and offer opportunities for learning.” With events like a weekly crafting circle, weekly Smudging ceremonies, and a Harvest Dinner, MSA hopes to connect non-Indigenous students to Indigenous students. Students should leave with a better understanding and reverence toward the cultures, traditions, and history of Indigenous cultures. Additionally, with lectures highlighting the erasure of Native voices in the past, paired with events including Native and Indigenous folks from the Evanston community, students have the chance to get rid of misconceived notions and learn how they can support Native communities in the area.
Eventually November will end, but that doesn’t mean the need for visibility and acknowledgement of Native American community will. Students interested in staying involved with the Native community on campus can join the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), a student group working “to increase visibility and raise awareness of Native American and Indigenous cultures and to discuss issues facing Native American and Indigenous students and the Native American and Indigenous community.” They’re open to any student interested in better understanding the experience of Native and Indigenous peoples, and open to learning the historical and modern conditions of their lives. Anyone interested in learning more should follow NAISA on Facebook.
MSA invites students to participate in this honoring of the lives and experience of Native and Indigenous folk around the country. It’s important to support the Native and Indigenous students on campus, and by attending these events and learning more about their culture, students can show solidarity with their peers. For more information, visit the MSA website.