The University of New Mexico hosts an entire month of opportunities to learn, create and advocate to commemorate American Indian Heritage Month.
Between American Indian Student Services (AISS), Native American Studies, UNM HSC Center for Native American Health, Institute of American Indian Research, Institute for American Indian Education, Native American Budget and Policy Institute, UNM is furthering its mission to support Indigenous history and livelihood.
On Aug. 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, also referred to as Native American Heritage Month.
“Several campus departments and chartered student organizations collaborate to share the Indigenous perspective and experience with the campus community. I’m especially excited about the American Indian Senior Day event – we have over 350 students confirmed to attend from throughout the state. it’s an opportunity to showcase all that UNM offers for students from the admissions application process and scholarship opportunities to the wide range of academic majors and numerous ways to get involved on campus to have an enriching and robust student experience.
Additionally, the co-ed student Basketball & Volleyball Tournament is a big hit for those interested in friendly competition, and Indigenous Craft Nights and the new Mindful Masterpiece sessions are a great way to expose students to AISS holistic student programming that enhances student community-building & peer networking while elevating cultural values, creative thinking, teamwork, and self-expression.”
– AISS Director Pamela Agoyo
For those unaware of the importance of recognizing Indigenous populations, these various UNM organizations are diving into critical issues all November.
Events are still being added to the calendar as they confirmed & it will continue to be updated throughout the month, but you can see the what’s reflected currently below:
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Special Lecture Series: 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Zoom
Native American Studies is partnering with The Wicazo Sa Review journal to host a special lecture series over Zoom. The Elizabeth Cook-Lynn Lecture Series, "Narratives of Indigenous Women Leaders: Indigenous-Centered Approaches to Leadership" features Robin Zape-Tah-Hol-Ah Minthorn, Ph.D. (Kiowa/Apache/Nez Perce/Umatilla/Assiniboine) and Heather Shotton, Ph.D. (Wichita/Kiowa/Cheyenne.) Register here.
Friday, Nov. 17
Native American Alumni Chapter: 5:30 p.m.
Hodgin Hall
The Native American Alumni Chapter is hosting its annual Alumni Awards dinner. It is the chapter’s goal to network and reconnect with alumni, build career opportunities for alumni, support current Native American students, and empower tribal and urban communities while honoring culture and traditions. Tickets are $20 per person
American Indian Student Services
Wednesday, Nov. 8
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives Awareness: 4 to 6 p.m.
Center for Native American Health
The public is invited to learn about Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives and to help raise awareness by watching a short film. Questions can go to 505-272-4100 or hsc-cnah@salud.unm.edu.
Thursday, Nov. 9
2023 American Indian Senior Day: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Student Union Building
American Indian Student Services is hosting the 2023 American Indian Senior Day. College bound American Indian High School seniors are invited to learn more about admissions, campus life, financial aid/scholarships and more.
Thursday, Nov. 9
200 Years Since Johnson v. M'Intosh - The Case's Impact on Native Communities and Tribal Governments: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Zoom
The Tribal Law Journal at The University of New Mexico presents 200 Years Since Johnson v. M'Intosh - The Case's Impact on Native Communities and Tribal Governments. The virtual symposium will consider Indigenous perspectives on this foundational case and will include discussions of the Doctrine of Discovery and the impact on contemporary issues facing Native communities. Articles produced for this symposium will be published in the upcoming issue of the Tribal Law Journal. Speakers include Matthew Fletcher, Kekek Stark, Richard Collins, and Robert Miller.
Monday, Nov. 13
Student Success Workshop - Mindful Masterpieces w/ Mallery Quetawki: 2 to 4 p.m.
AISS Building
The community is invited to beat the autumn blues, relax, unleash creativity, and join AISS for uplifting conversations!
Tuesday, Nov. 14
AISS Indigenous Craft Night - Beading 101: 5 to 7 p.m.
AISS Building
Alice Hollow Horn (Lakota & Tsalagi) will lead beading sessions on a biweekly basis at AISS where UNM students have the opportunity to learn how to bead various forms of earrings. She encourages and guides students to bring out their inner artists to create beautiful earring pieces. Outside of her job as an Operations Specialist at the College of Arts & Sciences, she creates beaded jewelry.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Native American Ceramics Night: 4 to 6 p.m.
Center for Native American Health
Sandra Sando will demonstrate the art of traditional ceramic artwork. You can create a ceramic piece to take home.Questions can be directed to 505-272-4100 or hsc-cnah@salud.unm.edu.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Break for the Ball 3v3 Co-Ed Basketball/Volleyball Tournament: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Johnson Center Auxiliary Gym
Save the date, gather your co-ed team, and start practicing. Registration is open soon.
Friday, Nov. 17
Student Success Workshop - Mindful Masterpieces w/ Mallery Quetawki: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
AISS Building
The community is invited to beat the autumn blues, relax, unleash creativity, and join AISS for uplifting conversations!
Thursday, Nov. 23
NHI Gratitude Run/Walk 2023: 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Arroyo del Oso Park
Head outside in celebrating family, friends, community, love, gratitude, & movement. There’s a 5K Walk/Run, 1 Mile Walk, & Kids Fun Run Register and learn more here.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
AISS Indigenous Craft Night - Beading 101: 5 – 7 p.m.
AISS Building
Alice Hollow Horn (Lakota & Tsalagi) once again will lead beading sessions on a biweekly basis at AISS where UNM students have the opportunity to learn how to bead various forms of earrings. She encourages and guides students to bring out their inner artists to create beautiful earring pieces. Outside of her job as an Operations Specialist at the College of Arts & Sciences, she creates beaded jewelry.
Wednesday, Nov. 29,
Native American Food Night: 5 – 7 p.m.
Center for Native American Health
End of the month with a Native American Potluck where anyone is invited to bring Indigenous made food. Questions can be directed to 505-272-4100 or hsc-cnah@salud.unm.edu.
UNM HSC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Tuesday, Nov. 21
IHEAL: Indigenous Health Educators Alliance: 12 to 1 p.m.
Zoom
Associate Dean of Native American Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School Dr. Mary Owen hosts an event to broaden interest and support for IHEAL within the AAIP community. Expanding the IHEAL community will support a greater number of Indigenous medical academics, and will introduce and support an IHEAL writing collective to AAIP members.
Monday, Nov. 27
An Introduction to Traditional Healing in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: 12 to 1 p.m.
Zoom
Public Health MD-PhD Candidate Alec Calac (Luiseño) and University of Minnesota Medical School Student Hailey Baker will introduce trainees to the application and use of traditional healing practices in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. They will also describe the literature that supports the integration of traditional healing practices with medical services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and propose small-scale demonstration projects that assess the impact of traditional healing practices on health outcomes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
UNM's Land Acknowledgment Statement
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.