Campus Life

Penn State campuses celebrate National Native American Heritage Month

Matika Wilbur, a visual storyteller from the Swinomish and Tulalip Peoples of Coastal Washington, will present her photography, which portrays contemporary narratives of Native Americans across the U.S., at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, in the Penn State Berks Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. Credit: provided. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State student organizations and units at campuses across the commonwealth will be holding events in honor of National Native American Heritage Month, celebrated during the month of November. Here’s a look at some of the events taking place at the University’s campuses. Additional events may be added throughout the month.

According to the Library of Congress Native American Heritage Month website, Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native people and recognizes the significant contributions of the first Americans. 

Penn State as an institution also officially recognizes Indigenous history and Native American heritage though its acknowledgement of land: The Pennsylvania State University campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations. As a land grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.

Penn State Altoona

Tuesday, Nov. 15 — The Piscataway Nation Singers and Dancers will present a colorful, educational and entertaining pow-wow-style event featuring American Indian dance, drum and song. 6:30 p.m., Slep Pond View.

Penn State Beaver

Friday, Nov. 4 — Penn State Beaver's Student Affairs Department is hosting a Native American Educational Gathering to celebrate Native American Heritage and to learn about how Native American's honor their culture through singing and dancing. 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., on the Quad (in the Student Union Building Lodge if the weather is inclement).

Penn State Berks

Monday, Nov. 7Matika Wilbur, a visual storyteller from the Swinomish and Tulalip Peoples of Coastal Washington and one of the nation’s leading photographers, will present her photography, which portrays contemporary narratives of Native Americans across the United States. Her most recent endeavor, Project 562, covers more than 300 tribal nations dispersed across 40 U.S. states. Wilbur has taken thousands of portraits and collected hundreds of contemporary narratives from the breadth of Indian Country for this project — all in the pursuit of one goal: “To change the way we see Native America.” This event is free and open to the public. Read more about Wilbur's presentation here. 7 p.m., in the Penn State Berks Perkins Student Center Auditorium.

Penn State Brandywine

Friday, Nov. 4 — Representatives of the Native American House Alliance of Philadelphia will speak on the meaning of dream catchers, mandalas and wampum belts, as well as Native American history, culture and spirituality. Open to Penn State students, faculty and staff. Noon, in Student Union 114-117.

Penn State Fayette

Wednesday, Nov. 9 — The Piscataway Nation Singers and Dancers will perform in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month. Famous for their internationally recognized, living history program, the Piscataway Nation will perform authentic American Indian dancing, drumming and singing. Free and open to students and staff of the Penn State Fayette community. 12:15 p.m., Student Center, Williams Building.

Penn State Harrisburg

Thursday, Nov. 17 — Penn State Harrisburg's Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office and the International Students Office will host a live performance by Larry Yazzie, a charismatic performing artist, champion powwow men's fancy dancer, eagle dancer, Native American flutist, and actor. 11:30 a.m., Student Enrichment Center Spiritual Center.

All month — Hanes Library is presenting a display, created by Bednar Intern April Demsko, highlighting contributions from Native Americans to many aspects of progress and culture in the U.S. and also draws attention to inequities, violence and discrimination faced by Indigenous people, past and present. Additionally, the display presents the Penn State Land Acknowledgement and showcases relevant titles from the library's collection. Hanes Library, 351 Olmsted Drive, Middletown.

Penn State Hazleton

Wednesday, Nov. 16 — A stream of traditional Native American dances with Ted Talks educating students on the meaning behind the dances, will be held. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock the Block on the campus mall.

Thursday Nov. 17 — A Friendsgiving dinner will be held, where traditional Native American foods will be served. 5:30 p.m. in Butler TLCR Room 103.

Penn State York

Tuesday, Nov. 15 — Global Eats and the Piscataway Nation Singers and Dancers — Come and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and watch the Piscataway Nation Singers and Dancers perform. Famous for their internationally recognized, living history program, the Piscataway Nation will perform authentic American Indian dancing, drumming and singing. Co-sponsored by the University Programming Board and Multicultural Club at Penn State York and the Office of Global Engagement. For more information, please email Jeff Gerstein or Nikki Rosario. 11 a.m., Rosie's Café, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center.

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Wednesday, Nov. 16 — Penn College will hold a Land Acknowledgement Celebration at the Bush Campus Center.

At 11:15, Elliott Strickland, vice president for student affairs, will present remarks. The celebration will include tables with information, activities, displays, etc., as well as spaces for students to gather and chat/eat. Acitivites include, among others, a land acknowledgement display; information and activity centers about traditional Native crafts and art, like corn husk dolls and wampum; information on Haudenosaunee games, like lacrosse and snowsnake; and an information table for each of the three peoples named in the land ackowledgement: Haudenosaunee, Susquehannocks, and Lenni Lanape.

Nov. 11, 16, 22 and 29 (all day) Educational Table Displays in the Bush Campus Center and Dauphin Hall lobbies will include information about local tribes, land acknowledgements, Native American Heritage Month, and notable historic figures. Some tables will also include giveaways.

Last Updated November 16, 2022