We Celebrate! Native American Heritage Month 2024
We Celebrate!
Native American Heritage Month | November 1 - November 30
The University of Arizona sits on the original homelands of the Tohono O’odham and the Pascua Yaqui people, who have stewarded this land since time immemorial. Aligning with the university’s core value of a diverse and inclusive community, it is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up the Wildcat community. At the institutional level, it is important to be proactive in broadening awareness throughout campus to ensure our students feel represented and valued. We recognize and honor the identities of the 22 sovereign nations of Arizona.
November is Native American Heritage Month. We encourage you to learn more and celebrate the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of Indigenous people and communities in Tucson and throughout the Southwest.
University of Arizona Land Acknowledgement:
We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.
Dr. Cheree Meeks
Assistant Dean, Programs, Diversity, and Inclusion
Campus Clubs & Organizations
Events
Here are a few events that you can attend in celebrating, acknowledging, and deepening your understanding of Native American Heritage, as well as partnering with local organizations.
Tohono O'odham Student Association (TOSA) Tournament
November 9 | San Xavier Recreation Center Football Field | Starts at 8:00 AM
Join TOSA and learn about the traditional game that O’odham women have played for hundreds of generations on O’odham jewed (land), whose lands the UA sits on. Need a ride from the UA? NASA will be providing rides from the Old Main Roundabout, leaving at 7 am to the San Xavier Rec Center.
RSVP if you need a ride!
Rez Ball Movie Viewing
November 17 | Honors Village 1067/68 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Beading & Brew with NASA
November 19 | Honors Village Rm 1067/68 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Join us for a quick lesson in beading while enjoying traditional Navajo tea. All supplies provided! Come and connect with your fellow Wildcats as we honor Native American tradition and culture. This event is in partnership with the Native American Student Association (NASA).
American Indian Heritage Month Social & Craft Market
November 29 - December 1 | CATALYST Arts and Maker Space at Tucson Mall | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Experience the life and history of several nations in this annual Native American Indian Heritage Month Social and Craft Market event featuring authentic artwork, crafts, demonstrations of songs, and dances to expand your knowledge of American Indian ways.
Student Stories
Medici Mondays: David Aberle
Franke Honors student David Aberle continued work on completing his innovative Indigenous sci-fi short film, thanks to support from the College of Fine Arts Medici Circle. Aberle (Diné/Navajo) is directing “Guardians of the Sacred Flame,” a short film blending traditional Indigenous philosophies with a Star Wars-inspired world, set in Navajo language, Diné Bizaad.
2024 Udall Scholars: Amanda Adams & Ojas Sanghi
The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers in public service had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.
Past and Present: a solo exhibition by Weston Lane
Weston Lane is a Franke Honors student studying photography at the University of Arizona School of Art. His exhibition, Past and Present, discusses the colonization of Native Americans by showing the effects of assimilation on his grandmother, as well as the history of oppression of the Navajo people.
ONCS Profile: Justin Begay
Franke Honors alumni Justin Begay was awarded two competitive scholarships, both of which have allowed him to make the most out of his Honors experience. Begay, who is also Navajo, is pursuing a PhD program in Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona after graduating, strengthening his toolkit for the work he hopes to do in encouraging and mentoring Native American students at the high school and college level.
Opportunities
Native Forward Student Access Funding 2024-2025
Status: Open
Native Forward Scholars Fund recognizes the limited access American Indian and Alaska Native students have regarding graduate entrance and professional examinations, as well as the cost of affording such exams and related preparatory expenses. Native Forward offers the Student Access Funding to help cover the cost of a student’s graduate or professional examination as well as related preparatory expenses. Recipients are only eligible for one Student Access Funding award per academic year.
REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for Student Access Funding the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Provide a copy of their most-recent, cumulative transcript.
- Be an enrolled member or descendant of a federally or state-recognized Tribe.
- Provide proof of Tribal enrollment via a copy of their Certificate Degree of Indian Blood, Tribal membership card, OR a letter of enrollment/descendancy from their Tribal enrollment office.
- Submit a receipt of payment and copy of test score to Native Forward.
DEADLINE: December 02, 2024, at 11:59 PM MST
For further questions, please reach out to our Scholarship Operations team at scholarships@nativeforward.org.
Application Link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/98879-Native-Forward-Scholars-Fund