November marks Native American Heritage Month. The University of Utah admires the proud traditions and cultures of all of the original Native American peoples of this region, and it is expected that students and fans show the proper reverence for traditional regalia and cultural practices.
To commemorate the month, various University entities are sponsoring the following events:
American Indian High School Senior Day (Nov. 15, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.)
American Indian high school seniors will visit campus to learn more about admissions, majors, financial aid and scholarships. Event will end with a lunch at the American Indian Resource Center at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Admissions Office. Any interested American Indian high school seniors and/or their parents can contact Anthony Shirley at 801.581.7392 or a.shirley@utah.edu.
Panel Discussion: Navajo Politics: Sustaining a Language or Legislating a Culture (Nov. 17, noon-1 p.m. at Union Theatre)
The 2014 Navajo Nation presidential campaign has sparked debate among the Navajo Tribe regarding Navajo language being a criteria. A panel will discuss the legitimacy and non-legitimacy of language as a criteria for tribal presidency.
Film: Healing the Warrior’s Heart (Nov. 20, 6 p.m. at American Indian Resource Center)
Examines the emotional trauma of war through the prism of Native American tradition and ceremony. The program reveals the central role that military service plays in Native life and explores the spiritual traditions that help returning American Indian soldiers reintegrate into society.
Inter-Tribal Cultural Social (Nov. 21, 4-6 p.m. at American Indian Resource Center)
An evening to experience American Indian culture through inter-tribal dance
music, games and food. Hosted by the Inter-Tribal Student Association.
Community Service Day (Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Students and Staff are welcome to help donate food, set-up dining hall, cook, serve food and/or clean-up for the annual Urban Indian Center Dinner.
To honor Utah's American Indians and to pay homage to the University's relationship with the Ute Tribe, the following sports teams will host Ute Proud games during the month, where they will wear the Ute Indian Tribe seal and give away Ute Proud educational cards, posters and flags.
Utah Soccer — Sunday, Nov. 2 at noon vs. Arizona St.
Men's Swim & Dive — Friday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. vs. Mesa St.
Women's Swim & Dive — Friday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. vs. Cal
Women's Basketball — Friday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. vs. San Jose State
Men's Basketball — Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. vs. UC Riverside
• Ute Honor Guard will present the colors for the National Anthem
• Halftime performance by the Ute Tribe
Football — Saturday, Nov. 22 at TBA vs. Arizona
• Ute Honor Guard will present the colors for the National Anthem
• Presentation of framed jerseys to the Ute Tribe Business Committee
• Halftime performance by the Ute Tribe
Volleyball — Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. vs. Oregon
On Nov. 6, the University of Utah's Natural History Museum of Utah will host Utah Indigenous Day, an event to celebrate Utah’s indigenous Tribal Nations. The program goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature poetry readings, as well as musical and cultural performances. The event is FREE, but registration is required.
To learn more about Utah's Native American tribes, visit the Utah American Indian Digital Archive (UAIDA), an online resource that features 40 years worth of research by the University of Utah's American West Center. The site highlights the history and hosts educational material for Utah's Tribal Nations.
Another wonderful resource is UAIDA's sister site, We Shall Remain: Utah Indian Curriculum Project, which offers teaching guides and lesson plans for teaching the history, culture and current issues of Utah’s American Indian tribes. The material is designed to be taught to fourth and seventh grade social studies classes, and in high school history classes.
On campus, there is the American Indian Resource Center, a place for students and scholars to gather, discuss and learn more about the issues that affect today's Native Americans.