Heritage & Health Series Program

Celebrating NAHM • November 2023

Knowledge of the past. Wisdom for the future.

Please join us throughout November for our events planned around Native American history and culture, including an indigenous healing drumming meditation in our new BIPOC Multicultural Center; events with music and food, and talks with Native American artists and educators.

Please view all our events listed here and mark your calendars for those that you can attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday/Friday Oct. 30-Nov. 3

Dia De Los Muertos Altar Exhibit "Ofrenda"

All Day
Dining Hall

In honor of Día de Muertos, an altar or "ofrenda" will be set up in the dining hall with the theme of Human Rights starting on October 30th. Please consider taking the time to reflect on the lives lost during this time. Join us as we reflect together toward understanding, compassion, and hope.

Tuesday, Nov. 7

NAHM Opening Ceremony

Noon–1 p.m.
Dining Hall

Please join us as we welcome back Miguel Gonzalez, a Native American with much to share about the Indigenous culture. Miguel will be playing flutes and drums, sharing poetry, and offering insights into his culture.

Complimentary food and beverages will be provided. 

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Power Hour: Mindfulness

Noon–1 p.m.
BIPOC/Multicultural Center (room 2149)

Please join us during Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) to delve into mindfulness techniques and ground yourselves through an indigenous healing drumming meditation. Learn and experience a transformative workshop facilitated by BIPOC/Multicultural Center Faculty Coordinator, Natalie Hansen.

Let's explore cultural healing practices together.

Complimentary food and beverages will be provided.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Fall Gratitude Feast & Native American Heritage Day Celebration

Noon–1:30 p.m.
Dining Hall

Join us on campus to enjoy a special meal with your Foothill College friends as we honor Native American Heritage Day and the notion of gratitude. This event is meant to bring light to the plight of the Indigenous People, while celebrating our union as friends from all walks of life in the modern age. We will have an acknowledgement of Native American roots and history, along with an understanding for the true practice of gratitude. 

Complimentary food and beverages will be provided in the traditional Thanksgiving style.

Thursday, Nov. 16

NAHM Speaker Justo Valenzuela

10–11:30 a.m.
Hearthside Lounge (2313) 

Join us on campus to enjoy some food and drinks while listening to our keynote speaker Justo Valenzuela talk about Native American history, resources, and join us for a Smudging Ceremony where you will receive a cultural education around the importance of burning sage.

Wednesday, Nov. 22

NAHM Documentary Screening — Time Has Many Voices: The Excavation of A Muwekma Ohlone Village

Noon–12:50 p.m.
Room 3103

Join Anthropology professor Sam Connell to watch this film depicting the Muwekma Ohlone partnering with archeologists in an intensive excavation in California.  Foothill College was placed on Muwekma lands, and we have an important responsibility to understand their relationship to this place. Food and drinks will be provided.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

NAHM Closing Ceremony

Noon–1 p.m.
Dining Hall

Please join us as we welcome back Medicine Road Band for their beautiful Indigenous music and practices. A short program will be provided along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Wednesday, Nov. 29

NAHM Artist Talk with Multimedia Journalist Tailyr Irvine

Noon–1 p.m.
Join by Zoom

Join us for this inspiring and insightful artist talk with Tailyr Irvine, Native American multimedia journalist.

Tailyr Irvine is a Salish and Kootenai photojournalist born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. She graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2018. Her work focuses on providing in-depth representations of the lives and complex issues within the diverse communities that make up Native America. Irvine worked in newsrooms across the country before beginning her career as an independent photojournalist and documentary photographer in 2019.

Tailyr is 2019 National Geographic Explorer and We, Women Artist currently working on a project that explores the complexities of blood quantum and Native identity.

Other commissioned work includes the New York Times, Washington Post, ESPN, CNN, the Smithsonian, HuffPost, Buzzfeed and High Country News.

Please register via ZOOM to attend this virtual event. 

Thursday, Nov. 30

NAHM Talk: Education Saved Me — One's Journey Despite the Odds

5:30–6:30 p.m.
Join by Zoom

Humanities Lecture and Discussion with Laurie Sison 

As a Native American scholar/practitioner, throughout my life there have been many trials and struggles. The one thing that I have been able to control is my education. There have been many pivotal moments that have brought me to where I am now.

I am a middle school teacher in Renton, Washington. Renton is a suburb of Seattle. I have been teaching for about 16 years. I live my dream in the classroom. I whispered that dream to the universe when I was 6 years old.  It took me a long time to realize that dream. I am now a doctoral candidate at Antioch University and will earn my doctorate in May 2024.

This NAHM event is part of our quarterly Humanities Lecture Series. If questions, please contact Aida Dargahi at dargahiaida@foothill.edu.

 

NAHM Planning Committee Members

Thank you to all our students, faculty and staff who helped plan our NAHM events this month.

• Amit Freikorn
• Catalina Rodriguez
• Charles James (CJ) Toledo III, Native Name "Little Lightning"
• Shahana Shaik
• Zara Ainge
• Victoria Strelnikova