Penn State to celebrate 2024 Indigenous Peoples Day with October events

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated at Penn State with events on Monday, Oct. 14. The Indigenous Peoples' Student Association and the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance, in partnership with the Office of Educational Equity, Student Affairs, and the Office of the Provost, have coordinated events in recognition and celebration.

The Indigenous Peoples' Student Association (IPSA) at Penn State is a vibrant community comprising Indigenous students, allies, faculty and staff. Its primary commitment is to foster the academic success of Indigenous students by advancing awareness, recruitment, retention, and organizing social and cultural activities. IPSA is dedicated to addressing the diverse needs of the broader Indigenous community by actively supporting initiatives related to issues in American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other Indigenous communities. Through its collective efforts, IPSA strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers Indigenous voices and promotes cultural understanding.

Penn State's Acknowledgement of Land was developed in collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples' Student Association and the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance:

The Pennsylvania State University campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Monongahela, Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations. As a land-grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.

Events

Penn State University Park

Fancy Dance Workshop with Supaman

Sunday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium

Supaman (Chris Takes Gun Parrish) will lead the fancy dance workshop highlighting powwow styles. He will speak about the history of powwow styles and the men's fancy war dance. He also will teach the basic steps for the dances and the different styles of music. Fancy dance is a dance created by the Ponca Tribe and is one of the most popular forms of Native American dance, commonly performed at powwows. Register for the Fancy Dance Workshop at this link.

The workshop is open to the public. It is presented in partnership with the Penn State Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance and Indigenous Peoples' Student Association. More information about the Fancy Dance Workshop is available here.

Indigenous Peoples Resistance Day Rally

Monday, Oct. 14, noon, Old Main Patio

Indigenous student, faculty and staff leaders will speak, and artists will perform in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Resistance. The Jake George Family will perform a smoke dance to welcome guests. Hip-hop/Native American artist Supaman will perform at approximately 1 p.m. Presented by the Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Penn State Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance, Indigenous Peoples' Student Association, and Penn State Student Affairs. More information about the Resistance Day Rally is available here.

Songwriting with Supaman

Monday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m., Dewey Room, Pattee Collaboration Commons, University Libraries

Native American, hip-hop inspired musician and empowerment artist Supaman will conduct a songwriting workshop. The event is limited to 30 people, and lunch will be provided. Registration for the songwriting workshop is required at this link. Presented in partnership with Penn State University Libraries, Indigenous Peoples' Student Association, and the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance. More information about the songwriting workshop is available here.

The Joyfull - The Feast Supaman Edition

Monday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center

Food is much more than what sits on our plates. Food intersects with nearly every aspect of our lives - from the communities and cultures we come from to issues of climate, food security and our personal relationships with food. Just like food, art comes from many forms, cultural backgrounds and histories. At each Joyfull event, all are welcome to come and enjoy a meal, live performance and conversation. The event is free, but registration for the Joyfull event is required at this link.

Free sustainable utensil sets will be given to first-time attendees, while supplies last. Help to reduce waste by bringing them to use at each Joyfull event. More information about the Joyfull event is available here.

Supamanperformance

Monday, Oct. 14, 8:30 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium

Supaman combines Native American culture, comedy, urban hip-hop culture and inspirational encouragement to educate audiences on Indigenous communities and connect with people from all walks of life. The performance is free and general admission, and no tickets will be issued. Payment is optional.

The event is presented in partnership with the Penn State Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance and the Indigenous Peoples' Student Association. More information about Supaman's performance is available here.

'Newtok' Film Screening

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 7 to 9 p.m., Zoom

As part of its monthly Intersectionsfilm program, Penn State Sustainability is hosting a screening of 'Newtok,' which profiles the resilient efforts of an Indigenous community in Alaska facing extinction due to climate change. About the film: Literally with each passing day, the community of Newtok, Alaska, is losing feet of shoreline as sea level rise erodes away the shores and homes of the town. As the seawater rises, it also intrudes into the community's freshwater drinking supply. Determined to hold on, the residents relocate upriver and challenge the federal government to do its duty in protecting the community. A discussion panel will follow the film. Free and open to all; however, pre-registration for the 'Newtok' film screening is required.

Penn State Shenango

Film: 'America Divided: Bears Ears National Monument and the Fight for Native American Equality'

Monday, Oct. 14, noon to 1:15 p.m., Sharon Hall, Room 105

The Penn State Shenango DEIB Committee will host a film presentation featuring Native American actor Martin Sensmeier. In "America Divided: Bears Ears National Monument and the Fight for Native American Equality," Sensmeier travels to San Juan County, Utah, to investigate the controversy over the Bears Ears National Monument.