November is National Native American Heritage Month and CU is offering many events, programs and opportunities across our campuses to honor and recognize the history, culture and impact of Native Americans and Indigenous People.
The university’s commitment to fostering the success of our Native American and Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members is not limited to one month, however; it is longstanding and deeply embedded throughout CU. As put forth in our Land Acknowledgement statement, the university honors and acknowledges that our four campuses are on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pueblo, and Shoshone nations.
Our work to ensure our campuses represent the rich diversity of our state and nation, and are places where all people can feel at home, is unwavering. The following is a snapshot of how you can celebrate Native American Heritage Month at CU, as well as some of the ways we work to empower our Native American and Indigenous community members and support their educational journeys every day.
CU Boulder
The Division of Student Affairs is paying tribute to the rich ancestry, diverse cultures and traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians with Native American Heritage Brilliance Month, which runs Nov. 1-30. The campus has many events planned, including a lecture on inclusive excellence in the gaming industry; a celebration of traditional Indigenous plant foods and practices; and even a playlist celebrating Native American and Indigenous musical artists that you can download. Visit the website for complete information.
CU Boulder’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies is partnering with the Institute of Behavioral Science to offer a workshop on “Advancing Indigenous-led Models of Conservation,” Nov. 11-13.
Did you know?
- In spring 2023, CU President Todd Saliman and then-CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano revived a partnership with the Southern Ute Department of Education to fully fund tuition and mandatory student fees for up to four Southern Ute students annually.
- Former CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano appointed Benny Shendo Jr. associate vice chancellor for Native American affairs in fall 2023. The position works to liaise between the campus and tribal communities across Colorado and collaboratively address related issues.
CU Denver
American Indian Student Services (AISS) is co-hosting a Native American Heritage Month kick-off celebration Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Student Commons. The event will feature the Indigenous Corporation 5280 Dancers, the Native American Women Warriors and opportunities to learn about Colorado’s Indigenous communities.
Other events AISS is hosting include “The Story of Real Thanksgiving” with Donna Chrisjohn on Nov. 19 and “Sand Creek Massacre and Amache Histories” with Greg Spotted Bird on Nov. 21. Visit the AISS website for more information. CU Denver is also hosting “Rezilience Week” with daily themes honoring Native and Indigenous cultures Nov. 11-15.
Did you know?
- The campus signed an historic agreement with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in the summer of 2023 that created an endowed scholarship for collegebound students from the tribe to attend CU Denver. The scholarship has special meaning for the Northern Arapaho, who, along with the Cheyenne and Ute people, were original inhabitants of portions of Colorado, including the downtown Denver area.
UCCS
The Division of Inclusive Culture and Belonging will host a “Munch & Learn” focused on Native American Heritage Month on Nov. 14. Additionally, the division offers a collection of resources, including videos, poetry, articles and music focused on deepening understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of Native people.
UCCS recently announced that retired Navy Commander John B. Herrington, UCCS alum, aviator, test pilot, aquanaut, astronaut and UCCS alumnus, will serve as the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Speaker and deliver the fall 2024 Commencement address at the campus’ ceremony, to be held Dec. 20. Cmdr. Herrington is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and NASA considers him to be the first citizen of a Federally recognized tribe to fly in space.
Did you know?
- UCCS offers an undergraduate certificate in Native American & Indigenous Studies dedicated to exploring and understanding the complexities of Indigenous knowledge worldwide, with a focus on American Indian issues, First Nations in Canada and Pacific Islanders.
- The campus offers two scholarships through the American Indian College Fund and the American Indian Education Fund.
CU Anschutz Medical Campus
The CU Anschutz Medical Campus is home to the Colorado School of Public Health, which boasts the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health (CAIANH), the largest, most comprehensive, and longest standing program of its kind in the country. CAIANH’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages by pursuing research, training, continuing education, technical assistance, and information dissemination within a biopsychosocial framework that recognizes the unique cultural contexts of this special population. CAIANH houses numerous projects funded by a wide range of private, state, and federal agencies, and partners with human service organizations in more than 200 urban, rural, and reservation communities. Additionally, the School of Public Health offers the Certificate in American Indian & Alaska Native Health.
Did you know?
- The CAIANH is housed in the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building, which incorporates Native American design elements in its interior and exterior design. Both spaces celebrate the Native American belief that the circle represents the dwelling place created by the Great Spirit for all people.
- This past spring, the National Science Foundation granted geneticist and CU School of Medicine faculty member Katrina Claw the Alan T. Waterman Award, the nation’s highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers, for her contributions to science and dedication to diversity in the field. She is the first member of the Navajo Nation to receive this prestigious award.