Indigenous Peoples' Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025: “Contemporary Indigenous Experiences”
The 2025 program, Contemporary Indigenous Experiences, featured a panel discussion with Geraldine Barney (Diné), Preston Taylor Stone (Eastern Cherokee), and Emily Pahuamba (P’urhépecha). Panelists shared personal narratives and explored the intersections of culture, identity, and modern Indigenous life. The conversation highlighted themes of representation, resilience, and connection to community, followed by an audience Q&A. The event also included lunch and a marketplace of Indigenous vendors in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium.
Past Events
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024: Embodying Our Land Acknowledgement
The 2024 program, Embodying Our Land Acknowledgement, featured a welcome speech by Peter Rojas, Director of the Intercultural Center, and a smudging ceremony led by Geraldine Barney (Navajo Nation). The program included a session on Developing the Land Acknowledgement Statement at Brandeis with Dr. LeManuel Bitsoi, followed by a Land Acknowledgement Conversation and Q&A moderated by Dr. Bitsoi. Guest speakers included Elizabeth Solomon (Massachusett People), Maria Gray Eyes Turner (Nipmuc People), and Roaming Buffalo (Pawtucket/Pennacook/Abenaki Peoples). The event also featured an artistic performance by Geraldine Barney, a presentation of gifts by Diane Lauber from the Office of Spiritual Life, and a community meal sponsored by Amuleto Restaurant.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023: Indigenous Language Reclamation
The 2023 in-person and virtual program centered Indigenous Language Reclamation with Eva Blake (Wampanoag Nation) and included a special Round Dance with Professor Evangelina Macias.
This event was co-sponsored by the Intercultural Center (ICC), President’s Office, Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA), Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI), Department of Women and Gender Studies (WGS), Myra Kraft Achievers Program (MKAP), Department of History, Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS), and the Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation Program (CAST).
Featuring: The Nettukkusqk Singers, Renae Watchman (Diné & Tsalagi), Mahtowin Munro (Lakota/United American Indians of New England), Amanda Cobb-Greetham, (Chickasaw/Oklahoma University), Cuauhtémoc Peranda (Mescalero Apache Nation, Mexika-Chichimeca/Cano/ UC Riverside), Chadra Pittman ( Seminole, Chocataw, The Weyanoke Association)
This year's Indigenous Peoples' Day Teach-In was held virtually Oct. 12-13, 2020.
Featuring: Claudia Fox Tree (Arawak/Yurumein), Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Eva Blake (Assonet Wampanoag), Deborah Spears Moorehead (Seaconke Pokanoket Wampanoag), Professor Emilie Connolly (History Department), Angela L. Robinson, Ph.D. (Inaugural Mellon-Pasifika PostDoctoral Fellow, University of Utah)