Weber State University will host various events throughout November in honor of  Native American Heritage Month, culminating with the 16th Annual Native Symposium. The theme for this year is “Illuminating Native Voices.”

Native American Heritage Month events begin Nov. 1 with the artwork installation of “Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women” on the Shepherd Union Bridge. The display will be up for the entire month of November. 

Author of the book, “Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science,” Kimberly Tallbear-Dauphine, is a professor of Native Studies at the University of Alberta and member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe in South Dakota. She will deliver the keynote speech online at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3. Registration is required.

“It is important to remind WSU and the community that Native American people continue to persevere and thrive during some of these difficult uncertain times that included COVID-19, and more recently, the uncovering of the remains of Indigenous children at current and former residential and boarding schools in North America,” said Tashina Barber, WSU’s Center for Multicultural Excellence retention counselor and advisor to the Native American Student Association. “It is critical to illuminate Native voices during these times to ensure accurate narratives from the past, present and for the future.”

On Nov. 11, a film screening of “Chasing Voices” will be held in Shepherd Union Ballroom A at 5:30 p.m. The film tells the story of ethnologist John Peabody Harrington’s language restoration research on the last speakers of the dying languages of Native Americans.

The Native American Student Association will lead the Native American Heritage Solidarity Week Nov. 15-19 with events each day. 

Nov. 15 – Rock Your Moccs

Nov. 16 – Traditional Attire Day

Nov. 17 – Native Cuisine

Nov. 18 – Native Jewelry Day

Nov. 19 – Native T-shirt Day

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

— Tom Haraldsen