Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration set for Oct. 10

TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College will be celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, Oct. 10 with a series of events on main campus.

• 11 a.m. The Dennos Museum is celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day with the Traverse Area District Library with stories, poems, and dancing inside the museum. Attendees will receive a free picture book (choice of Fry Bread or We Are Still Here) and a craft for the family. Both books and crafts will be available as supplies last. The museum is open from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and admission is free.
• 2–4 p.m. The Native American Student Organization will meet under the pines south of the Osterlin Building with members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The event will include drumming and dancing demonstrations. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
• Oct. 10–Oct. 21 The NMC Library will be celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with two StoryWalks that can be listened to while strolling through campus. Nihá’ádaahwiinít’íįgo/When We Are Kind can be found along the sidewalk north of the campus apartments and Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh/This is How I know can be found along the path between the Dennos Museum and the Osterlin building.

Many state and local municipalities, including the city of Traverse City and the state of Michigan, recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day. It was first proclaimed as a federal holiday in 2021. It is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Native American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures, which predate Western colonization by centuries.

 

Release Date: October 4, 2022

For More Information:

Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019