Santa Clara University will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, Oct. 12, with a series of events honoring Indigenous cultures and histories.
This year’s celebration, titled “ÓTTÓY RÓOTE HUŠÍŠTAK” or “Gathering Together at Dawn,” is organized in partnership with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area and several campus organizations, including Santa Clara University’s Inclusive Excellence Division, Office for Campus Climate and Belonging, Mission and Ministry, de Saisset Museum and tUrn.
Throughout the day, attendees can engage with Indigenous traditions and learn more about cultural celebrations. This gathering also honors the Mukwekma Ohlone people’s enduring presence and historical connection to the land on which Santa Clara University stands.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed on the second Monday of October, recognizes the cultures and traditions of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. First proposed in 1977 at the United Nations International NGO Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, the holiday only began receiving recognition from U.S. cities in the early 1990s and was not federally recognized until 2021.
The day’s programming will begin at 6:30 a.m. in front of the Mission Church with a Sacred Dawn Circle, featuring ceremonial prayers, dances and songs under the sunrise at 7:12 a.m.
Following the morning ceremony, attendees can participate in a community brunch and resource fair from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the lawn behind O’Connor Hall.
The afternoon will include an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Symposium, titled “Indigenous Solidarity: Generational Struggles Towards Liberation and Nation Building,” from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music and Dance Facility.
The celebration will conclude with a speaker presentation sponsored by tUrn from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., available both in person and via Zoom.
All events hosted are free and open to the public. Complimentary parking is available in the University’s Main Garage.
1 thought on “Gathering at Dawn: SCU to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day”
Shame to see a tribe that was taken from its original chair by force, and after removing its chairwoman after 40 years and getting rid of the vice chair, and 90% of the council, they have now replaced it with people who stand on podiums advocating for their own people while stealing from them, wearing red bandannas, looking and like gang members almost like they’re bullying anybody to say anything or speak up on the corruption that is going on behind-the-scenes for the last few years since 2018 there’s a reason why only 20 people show up now at these events because most of the members belonging to the Muwekma tribe no longer are allowed to be involved, attend tribal meetings, or have a say so in any matters. Hundreds of members have signed and sent numerous recall letters to Charlene Nijmeh and her paid council members for her and Joey’s removal and have been ignored. Maybe this is something you guys should start looking into this is why Rosemary Cambra and the Muwekma members no longer show up and support Charlene Nijmeh