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Friday marked the start of the nationally-recognized Native Heritage Month. In honor of the month, Syracuse University’s Native Student Program will host multiple events to celebrate Indigenous cultures, traditions and histories.

NSP – a program in SU’s BIPOC Student Success Programs and Services – will collaborate with university departments and registered student organizations to hold nine events throughout November. Other campus groups, including SU’s Indigenous Students at Syracuse organization, also plan to host events to celebrate Indigenous heritage in November.

The Daily Orange has outlined this year’s NHM schedule.

Nov. 1: Native Heritage Month Kickoff

NSP held its NHM kickoff Friday at 113 Euclid.

During the event, Kalhaku McLester, a SU senior and member of the Oneida Nation, reviewed the Thanksgiving Address — a prayer used by the six Haudenosaunee nations to open and close major gatherings. 113 Euclid, home to the NSP, also offered house tours, food and refreshments for attendees.

Nov. 4: Lead the Way: A First-Generation Panel Discussion

On Monday, first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni at SU will share their experiences and challenges navigating campus and professional environments. They will also discuss how to gather support and resources to enhance their journey as first-generation community members.

Co-organized by SU’s Intercultural Collective and New Student Programs, the panel will be held from 4-6 p.m. in Bird Library room 114.

Nov. 7: Indigenous Film Screening

NSP will be screening an Indigenous-made film “Rez Ball” at 113 Euclid on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. The film is a fictional coming-of-age basketball story based on real-life Native American culture following the Navajo Chuska Warriors in its journey to the state championships while highlighting life growing up on a Navajo reservation.

Nov. 8: Native Social With Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas, Haudenosaunee Smoke Dance champion, will lead a session of songs and dance at Skybarn on South Campus. There will be food and refreshments.

The social, organized by NSP, is on Friday from 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 10-16: Rock Your Mocs Week

Starting Sunday, Nov. 10, NSP will hold its annual “Rock Your Mocs” week, a national celebration where participants wear moccasins to represent Indigenous tribal individuality. The event will continue through next Saturday, Nov. 16, to honor Indigenous communities worldwide.

Native people around the country wear their moccasins and take photos of them to post on Instagram, with hashtags “RockYourMocs” and “RockYourMocs2024.”

Nasya Bellard, the director of Indigenous student affairs in SU’s Student Association, said not many people know that NHM also celebrates the Indigenous peoples of Alaska, the Pacific Islands and Canada.

Nov. 10: Indigenous Media With Honni

Arihhonni David — an author, illustrator and member of the Haudenosaunee Kaniekehaka people — will give a presentation in Hall of Languages room 107 on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 2-4 p.m.

David creates his art surrounding Haudenosaunee culture. He has written and illustrated children’s books including “The Good Game,” and “Who Will Win.” He also writes for Marvel and is working on “Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds.”

Nov. 12: Indigenous Friendsgiving

NSP and the Barner-McDuffie House will host an “Indigenous Friendsgiving” to decolonize Thanksgiving and serve traditional Indigenous food. The event will be at 113 Euclid on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Nov. 15: Full Moon Ceremony

The Barnes Center will host a Full Moon Ceremony on Shaw Quadrangle on Friday, Nov. 15. Attendees are encouraged to come with a blanket to sit on as they thank Grandmother Moon, who is said to control female life and watch over the waters of the earth in Indigenous culture. The event will consist of greetings, thanks and prayers for the community, families and loved ones.

Attendees are also recommended to bring small hand drums and rattles to sing songs in honor of Grandmother Moon. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Noble Room in Hendricks Chapel. Otherwise, the event will be held on the Quad on Nov. 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20: Celebrating and Honoring Our Trans and Two-Spirit Communities: A Trans Day of Remembrance Event

SU’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Offices of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Student Engagement and NSP are collaborating to host an event honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance. The event will feature a discussion about the history of two-spirit people – Indigenous people who identify with both masculine and feminine qualities – and what it means to identify as such.

The discussion will also have a memorial service, bracelet making and empowerment-building exercises, along with fall-themed refreshments. The event will be at 113 Euclid on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5-7 p.m.

Every NHM event is free admission to current SU students, including additional ISAS-hosted events. Here’s a rundown of ISAS events for the month.

Nov. 15: BIPOC Game Day

BIPOC Game Day will feature physical and non-physical activities in the Barnes Center at The Arch’s Multi-Activity Courts on Friday from 3-5 p.m., ISAS President Nia Nephew wrote in a statement to The D.O.

Nov. 18: Painting Night With Ina Mae

On Monday, Nov. 18, local Indigenous artist Ina Mae will share her expertise and offer students the opportunity to relax through art, Nephew wrote. The event will be from 6-9 p.m.

Nov. 19: Beading Night with Neveah

Nevaeh Marshall, graduate academic consultant at NSP, will lead a beading workshop at 113 Euclid from 5-7 p.m on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Published on November 3, 2024 at 11:17 pm

Contact Roxanne: rmboychu@syr.edu