Native American Heritage Month 2024
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in the month of November. At Western, it's a time of celebration and recognition — of the rich cultures and traditions of our Native and Indigenous communities —but also one of learning, reflection and dialogue.
During Native American Heritage Month and every month, WWU is committed to seeking out and encouraging Native histories and knowledge; to being purposeful and proactive in our inclusion of Native voices and knowledge; and to discover new ways to inspire and promote a new generation of Native intellectual change agents.
We invite all of our community to take part in a host of opportunities in support of Native and Indigenous learning and advancement, from Native lectures and dialogues to sporting events and film screenings. We hope to see you at these events, but our work won't end there. WWU will continue to invest its time, energy, and resources into supporting our Native populations, both here at Western and in the community over the long-term.
— Laural Ballew-Ses yehomia/tsi kuts bat soot, American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations Relations Executive Director and Tribal Liaison, Western Washington University
— Amy Salinas Westmoreland, Director of Multicultural Student Services, Western Washington University
A Conversation with WWU's Tribal Liaison Laurel Ballew
Laural Ballew-Ses yehomia/tsi kuts bat soot, WWU’s Tribal Liaison, shares thoughts and insights on what this season means to her as a person of Native descent and how universities and tribes can constructively work toward a rewarding and collaborative future for their communities.
How to Support Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month begins Friday.
Many events to celebrate and acknowledge Indigenous peoples all month long.
Situated on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, Western Washington University will commemorate Native American Heritage Month in November with a full itinerary of campus events.
“We celebrate being Native every day,” said Tribal Liaison Laural Ballew, “but the month is a great opportunity for us to share that knowledge and use that platform to remind everyone that we are still here.”
Schedule of Events
Native Student Welcome
Sunday, October 27th , MCC Kitchen (VU 7th Floor), 4:00pm-6:00pm
Join us for food, fun, and community during our Native student welcome. All are invited. This event will center our Native community. Meet our staff and faculty and enjoy community building activities. Food and refreshments provided.
Film Screenings
Tuesday, October 29th, Fraser Hall 102, 4:30pm
Join us for a screening of Children of the Setting Sun Productions’ West Shore and Scha'nexw Elhtal'nexw Salmon People: Preserving a Way of Life.
Film Descriptions
West Shore is an 18 minute documentary film that follows the West Short Canoe Family as they paddle through their ancestral waters and connect with relatives during the 2023 Paddle to Muckleshoot. The film is a celebration of Coast Salish culture, and shows how the annual Tribal Journeys events play an integral role in the cultural resurgence that is happening today.
Scha'nexw Elhtal'nexw Salmon People: Preserving a Way of Life: Despite wildfire smoke and a depleting fishery, Lummi families fish for sockeye salmon. The film, which explores the deep spiritual and cultural connection between the Lummi and salmon, lifts values of respect, gratitude and sharing as they are passed onto the next generation. Through the Scha'nexw Elhtal'nexw, the "Salmon People," we learn that protecting salmon and this lifeway is a full-time job.
Light refreshments provided.
Restoration Work Party at Outback Farm
Tuesday, November 5th, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Please join the Native American Student Union (NASU) in a restoration work party with the Outback Farm. This student run farm includes a waterway that is essential to salmon habitat.
Indigenous Fashion Show
Friday, November 8th, Bellis Fair Mall. Doors Open at 5pm, Show starts at 5:30pm
Join us for the Indigenous Fashion Show hosted by WWU’s NASU, CEED, Multicultural Student Services, Office of Student Resilience, and Native Arts 360! The event will take place at Bellis Fair Mall. Featured designers include: Mariah Dodd, Copper Canoe Woman, and our talented Western students. Music by DJ Big Rez.
MCC Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, November 13th, VU 735, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Learn about the art of Cedar Weaving with a workshop facilitated by Aletha Ballew. Lunch will be provided for participants.
Native American Heritage Month Closing Celebration
Friday, November 22nd, VU MPR, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Join us for community, food, and Bingo! The theme for this event is “Your auntie’s or uncle’s bingo hall days.” Come dressed up and ready to play.
History
In 1990 Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month). “American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States of America,” noted H.J. Res. 577. “Native American Indians have made an essential and unique contribution to our Nation” and "to the world."
Introduced by Hawaii senator Daniel Inouye and congressional delegate Eni Faloemavaega of American Samoa, the joint resolution stated that “the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon Federal, State, and local governments, interested groups and organizations, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
In 2008 the commemorative language was amended to also include the contributions of Alaskan Natives. Every year, by statute and/or presidential proclamation, the month of November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month.
Information provided by US Senate.
Additional information from the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Featured Stories
Longhouse Dedication
Many from the WWU, Bellingham, Whatcom County and local Indigenous communities came together on Thursday, April 11, 2024 to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Western's new House of Healing longhouse.
Changing Shorelines
Climate change is already reshaping PNW shorelines. Tribal nations are showing how to adapt.
River Views
John Feodorov’s new work for the Seattle Convention Center is a story of the Duwamish River
Thank You
To our Sponsors and Collaborators
- Native American Student Union
- WWU Tribal Relations Office
- Office of Student Resilience
- LGBTQ+ Western
- WWU Libraries
- WWU Athletics
- Center for Education, Equity, and Diversity
- Office of Multicultural Student Services
A special thank you to our community partners
Cof&, Native Arts 360, Children of the Setting Sun Productions, Westshore Canoe Family
Artist Appreciation
We want to thank our graphic designer, KaaShaayí Kéet'aakw (Tlingit Tribe) for creating the graphics for our celebration of Native American Heritage Month. KaaShaayí states that "This design is a modern take on Tlingit formline art, representing ravens in conversation, a nod to the importance of storytelling in Native cultures. The image used throughout the page, titled "Kindling New Traditions," symbolizes the creation and sharing of stories, a practice as enduring as the stars above them and as vital as the fire that lights the night, reflecting the ongoing narrative of Native peoples." You can learn more about the artist KaaShaayí at kaashaayi.com/about