Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating Native Americans and their diverse cultures, histories, and traditions. Native histories are often glossed over, but the truth remains that Indigenous people were removed from their lands, often violently, and Native peoples still face inequalities. Saint Mary’s encourages our community to explore the full truth in our history, and take this opportunity to educate ourselves about the historical and current struggles that Native Americans face, including the Saklan Bay Miwok peoples, the original caretakers of the land on which Saint Mary’s College resides. 

“November marks the time for all of us to celebrate the rich traditions, cultures, and histories of Native People,” said VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Kathy Littles, PhD. “It is also a time for us to reflect on truth and reconciliation as it pertains to educating ourselves about the past and present experiences of Native people. Let us honor, listen, reflect, love, and most of all become fully engaged in raising awareness about the history of Native people and present day efforts of Rematriation and activism. In the early 2000s I was a graduate fellow at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. In 2004, the National Museum of the American Indian opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This was a decades-long monumental task fraught with controversy.  As with most museums, there are gaps and challenges, but one cannot help but be touched by the presence of ancestral pride and spirit in the museum. Exploring the exhibits was truly a memorable experience. I encourage everyone if given the chance to visit this museum or other cultural spaces to become aware and engaged in present activist movements for Native peoples throughout the United States.” 

Throughout the month of November, the Saint Mary’s community will host several opportunities to learn about Native American cultures and histories. 

Through December 12: Collective Memories | Museum of Art

The Saint Mary’s Museum of Art exhibit Collective Memories: Stonecuts from Cape Dorset features contemporary graphic arts crafted by Inuit artists and printmakers from 1960 to 1970, a transitional period in the arctic region. Collective Memories, curated by art historian Britt Royer, showcases artwork by Pitseolak Ashoona, Lucy Qinnuayuak, Pauta Saila, Ningeeuga Oshuitoq, Agnes Nanogak Goose, Kenojuak Ashevak, Napachie Pootoogook, and Tumira Ashoona. Prints and editions are by Timothy Ottochie, Lukta Qiatsuk, Eegyvudluk Pootoogook, and Iyola Kingwatsiak.

Collective Memories will be open in the Museum of Art until December 12, 2021. To learn more, visit the Museum of Art website. 

Saint Mary’s Native American and Indigenous Student Association will host a series of events to explore Native American and Indigenous identities, bring awareness to the issues many Native peoples face today, and inspire change for the Native community at Saint Mary’s. 

Through November 30: Toe Tag Exhibit | Native American & Indigenous Student Association (NAISA)

Throughout the month of November, NAISA will have an interactive Toe Tag Exhibit in the Center for Women and Gender Equity honoring the missing and murdered Indigenous women from the past year. 

Tuesday, November 9 at 6 p.m. - Watch Party Reservation Dogs | Intercultural Center

NAISA will kick off their Native American Heritage Month events on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Intercultural Center (IC) with a watch party of Reservation Dogs, the award-winning TV show featuring Native actors and writers. That Thurs., Nov. 11at 1 p.m. in the IC,  NAISA will follow up the watch party with a discussion on the complexities of Native identities. 

Tuesday, November 16, 1-2 p.m. Reconciliation in Curriculum & SMC Action Steps | Intercultural Center

NAISA encourages staff and faculty members to join them for the event, “Reconciliation in Curriculum & SMC Action Steps,” on Tues., Nov. 16 from 1-2 p.m. in the IC. Join to learn more about what Saint Mary’s can do for Indigenous students and the local Native community. 

Thursday, November 25, 5 a.m.- Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony | San Jose

On Thanksgiving Day, NAISA is going off campus for an Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony at 5 a.m. in San Jose. 

Tuesday, November 30, 7 p.m. - Song & Drum Night | Intercultural Center

Lastly, NAISA will close Native American Heritage Month with Song & Drum Night on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. in the IC. 

For more information about NAISA for more information about and their Native American Heritage Month events, visit its page.

Additional Resources

Learn more about Ruth Orta, a Jalquin/Ohlone/Saklan Bay Miwok and Bay Area Native, and her cultural traditions in this video from the Oakland Museum of California. 

Learn more about the Native land on which Saint Mary’s College resides by reading Professor Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo’s essay, “The Environmental History of Saint Mary’s College”.