Although the first "American Indian Day" was celebrated in May 1916 in New York, a month-long recognition of Native Americans did not happen until 1990. That year, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Since then, the title has expanded to celebrate the heritage, history, art, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Each year, we honor the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors had lived in North America for hundreds of years. MESA and the Native American Student Association (NASA) collaborate with campus partners to bring a wide range of events that celebrate Native American culture with the University of Michigan campus community.
> > NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2018 < <
Friday, Oct 26: Harvest Feast
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Auditorium
1800 N Dixboro Rd
3:00 PM-7:00 PM
Friday, Nov 2: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women
FIlm (Finding Dawn) & Panel
East Quad, Keene Theater
701 E University Ave
6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 3: Surivivors Day Feast (formerly Fall Feast)
Trotter Multicultural Center
1443 Washtenaw Ave
5:30 PM-7:00 PM
Wednesday, Nov 7: The Almost Lost Art of Hula Kiʻi - Hawaiian Puppetry
A Lecture-Demonstration by Kumu Hula Auliʻi Mitchell
Angell Hall, Auditorium C
435 S State St
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Friday, Nov 9: The Power of Native Women - Presented by Heather Bruegl
Modern Languages Building, **Room 1220
812 E Washington St
5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Tuesday, Nov 13: Cinetopia Film Festival: DAWNLAND
MESA will provide 20 free tickets and food vouchers for the first 20 students starting at 9am on Nov. 5th. Tickets and food voucher must be claimed in-person. There are no holds on tickets. Must show U-M ID upon pickup.
Michigan Theater
603 E Liberty St
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Wednesday, Nov 14: Wampanoag Language and Culture - Presented by Toodie
School of Education, Room 1322, The Tribute Room
610 University Ave
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Thursday, Nov 15: Ikwewag Noojimowag Endaazhi-Waawiyekizowag: Standing in a Circle, the Women are Healers
School of Social Work, Room 1840, Educational Conference Center
1080 S University Ave
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Friday, Nov 16: Burt Lake Burnout - Presented by Richard Wiles and Burt Lake Tribal Council
Trotter Multicultural Center
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Sunday, Nov 18: Wild Rice Demonstration - Presented by Jasmine Pawlicki
Trotter Multicultural Center
5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov 20: American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) Food Drive
4880 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI 48210
11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 2: Community Potluck
Please contact erskine@umich.edu for more info!
3:00 PM-6:00 PM
Friday, Oct 26: Harvest Feast
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Auditorium
1800 N Dixboro Rd
3:00 PM-7:00 PM
The Indigenous Collaborative Garden is the first tangible result of a multi-year planning process involving many University and Tribal partners. We're gathering to honor and celebrate the path forward toward reconnecting heritage seeds and their curated information that are held in University collections with their communities of origin. This year's harvest is from seed donated by Tribal partners - and grown at the UM Matthaei Botanical Gardens under Tribal guidance as a good-faith 'proof of concept' of our proposed collaboration. One longer-term outcome is to support work in Tribal food sovereignty. A write up of a past project component is at: http://graham.umich.edu/news/anishinaabe-partners
Friday, Nov 2: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women - Film (Finding Dawn) & Panel
East Quad, Keene Theater
701 E University Ave
6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Finding Dawn is a 2006 documentary film by Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh looking into the fate of an estimated 500 Canadian Aboriginal women who have been murdered or have gone missing over the past 30 years. The film will be followed by a panel of experts, including students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Saturday, Nov 3: Survivors Day Feast (formerly Fall Feast)
Trotter Multicultural Center
1443 Washtenaw Ave
5:30 PM-7:00 PM
Welcome back to campus! Come on out and eat some great food with the Native American Student Association! All friends and family are welcome! Food and drinks are free.
Wednesday, Nov 7: The Almost Lost Art of Hula Kiʻi - Hawaiian Puppetry
A Lecture-Demonstration by Kumu Hula Auliʻi Mitchell
Angell Hall, Auditorium C
435 S State St
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Auliʻi Mitchell is Kumu Hula of Hālau o Kahiwahiwa in the district of Puna, Hawaiʻi, and Hālau o Moana-nui-a-Kiwa in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Cultural Practitioner. He holds a Masters in Applied Indigenous Knowledge and works as a cultural anthropologist on cultural impact studies. Kumu Auliʻi is one of the foremost practitioners in the revival and perpetuation of the rare form of hula kiʻi — dances with puppetry.
Friday, Nov 9: The Power of Native Women - Presented by Heather Bruegl
Modern Languages Building, **Room 1220
812 E Washington St
5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Throughout history women have played an important role in the family and the community. In this talk we will explore Native women throughout history who have done some amazing things. Whether it was fighting alongside warriors or becoming doctors, we will learn more about the Native women who helped shape history.
Tuesday, Nov 13: Cinetopia Film Festival: DAWNLAND
MESA will provide 20 free tickets and food vouchers for the first 20 students starting at 9am on Nov. 5th. Tickets and food voucher must be claimed in-person. There are no holds on tickets. Must show U-M ID upon pickup. 1 ticket and food voucher per U-M student.
Michigan Theater
603 E Liberty St
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to save them from being Indian. In Maine, the first official ""truth and reconcilliation comission"" in the United States begins a historic investigation. DAWNLAND goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.
Featuring a post-film panel discussion with 22nd Circuit Court Judge Timothy Connors, Maine Wabenaki Truth and Reconciliation Commisioner (and on-screen subject) Sandy White Hawk, and other special guests.
Thursday, Nov 15: Ikwewag Noojimowag Endaazhi-Waawiyekizowag: Standing in a Circle, the Women are Healers
School of Social Work, Room 1840, Educational Conference Center
1080 S University Ave
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Wednesday, Nov 14: Wampanoag Language and Culture - Presented by Toodie
School of Education, Room 1322, The Tribute Room
610 University Ave
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Just like the world, there is evolution in language and culture. Losing your language is like losing your identity. Losing your culture is like losing your faith. Our language is who we are. Our culture is who we were and what we will become. Keeping our language and culture alive is vital for the generations to come. I am just one of the many people in my community who are willing to fight to make sure our voice is heard.
Friday, Nov 16: Burt Lake Burnout - Presented by Richard Wiles and Burt Lake Tribal Council
Trotter Multicultural Center
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
The Cheboiganing (Burt Lake) Band of Native Americans were the first permanent year-around residents of Michigan's Tip of the Mitt region. Their ancestral land along Cheboiganing (Burt) Lake dates back to the early 1700s. During the 1850s, members of the small Band constructed log cabin homes near the mouth of the Maple River in the area of Maple Bay, on Cheboiganing (Burt) Lake's Indian Point. Along with their 20 or so log homes, and agricultural fields, Band members constructed a Catholic Mission Church, a log rectory, and a 5 acre cemetery. Their Indian Village, as it was referred to, thrived until Monday October 15, 1900. This is the story of the destruction of Indian Village- now referred to as "a bitter memory."
Sunday, Nov 18: Wild Rice Demonstration - Presented by Jasmine Pawlicki
Trotter Multicultural Center
5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov 20: American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) Food Drive
4880 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI 48210
11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 2: Community Potluck
Please contact erskine@umich.edu for more info!
3:00 PM-6:00 PM
A fun community get together with food and friends! Bring a dish to share. All are welcome and invited.
