Office of the Provost

To the UConn Community:

Since 1937, the United States has observed Columbus Day as a federal holiday on the second Monday of October. With greater willingness to understand and acknowledge the colonial impact on the inhabitants of the Americas prior to Columbus, there has been a growing effort to recognize this day as Indigenous Peoples Day. UConn is among those using this day, and the whole week, as an opportunity to bring attention and understanding to the legacy, culture, and history of Indigenous people.

The very name of the state of Connecticut derives from the Mohegan word Quinnitukqut, meaning “long, tidal river.” Connecticut is home to numerous Indigenous communities, including but not limited to the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett and Nipmuc Peoples. In recognizing their continued existence and claim to this land, we seek to strengthen our relationship with these neighbors and join with towns, cities, and universities across the United States in acknowledging their contributions, past and present, to the health and vitality of our shared communities.

We are fortunate to have dynamic cultural centers and programs at UConn that host exceptional programming. UConn’s Native American Cultural Programs and the Native American and Indigenous Students Association are hosting a week of events that we encourage all in our community to attend as both educational enhancement and a celebration of the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples, on our campuses and beyond.

Sincerely,
Carl and Frank

Carl Lejuez
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Franklin Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

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Indigenous Peoples’ Week Schedule of Events
Sponsored and Organized by the Native American Cultural Programs (NACP) office and the Native American and Indigenous Students Association (NAISA)

Full event details are available on the Native American Cultural Programs website: nacp.uconn.edu/indigenous-peoples-week-2.

 

Monday, Oct. 12—Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Video Release: “Indigenous At UConn #WeAreStillHere”

• Featuring some of UConn’s Indigenous faculty, staff, and students speaking about their experiences being Indigenous at UConn and sharing what being Indigenous means to them.

“THIS LAND: Quinektikut Blanket Exercise” 3:30 p.m. via Zoom

• Facilitated by Akomawt Educational Initiative and co-sponsored by UConn Collaborative Organizing (UCCO) and Fridays For Future (FFF)
• Part 1 of a multipart initiative entitled “THIS LAND: A Decolonization and Discussion Exercise.” The Blanket Exercise is an interactive and experiential learning activity that guides participants through themes of land dispossession, culturally genocidal policies and the effects of colonialism through culturally grounded and respectful methods.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

Keynote Speaker: Dyami Thomas, 4 p.m. via Zoom

• Dyami Thomas (Ojibwe/Klamath) will share stories, tips, and self-affirmation exercises that will teach the importance of self-care, genuine self-love, self-respect, and a renewed reflection on life. The topics covered will be suicide prevention, self-motivation, cultural identity, youth dating violence, domestic violence, and health and wellness. Three prizes will be raffled off for those who RSVP to NACP’s online event page for Dyami Thomas and attend the talk.

Film Screening and Discussion: “Awake! A Dream from Standing Rock” 7 p.m. via Zoom

• A virtual film screening of the #NoDAPL documentary, “Awake!,” followed by a discussion facilitated by Kaylee Jangula Mootz.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Panel: #NotYourMascot – CT Indian Mascots and Why They Must Go 5:30 p.m. via Zoom

• Featuring Dr. Stephanie Fryberg (U of Michigan), Dr. Barb Gurr, and Dr. Glenn Mitoma
• Panelists speak about the current status of the fight against CT Indian mascots, as well as the psychological costs of Indian mascots on students and community members, Native and non-Native alike. Discussion will be led by NACP student workers Sage Phillips and Zoe Blevins and members of the state-wide coalition to ban Native mascots.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Film Screening and Discussion: “Retablo” 5 p.m. via Zoom

• In collaboration with PRLACC and the Rainbow Center
• This film follows character Segundo, a young boy from rural Peru, as his father trains him in the family tradition of designing and building religious retablos. But a secret may shatter Segundo’s world and everything he believes in. Includes LGBTQ and mental health related themes.

Friday, Oct. 16

Listening Event: “This is What Indigenous Looks Like” 12:30 p.m. via Zoom

• NAISA members share their experiences being Indigenous at UConn.