November 5, 2021

Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a month to recognize and celebrate the cultures and contributions of the indigenous peoples in what is now the US. The University of Washington occupies land that is the ancestral homeland of Coast Salish tribes, including the Duwamish (who are still denied federal recognition), Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot.

What’s happening at UW?

• Indigenous/Native American students can join RSOs such as First Nations @ UW (geared toward undergraduate students) and UW SACNAS Chapter (for folks in Science fields). For more, visit the UW page on Native Life and Tribal Relations and American Indian Studies department website.
• SAFS is co-sponsoring Sharing Indigenous Knowledge Across Boundaries: Fishing Sovereignty in Alaska and British Columbia, a panel on Indigenous fishing rights. Register at the link above.
• The College of Built Environments is hosting a lecture series centering the voices and knowledge of Indigenous researchers, organizers, and architects. For more information, visit On The Ground: Indigenous Voices on Constructed Place.
• More events will be on the SAFS DEI Events Calendar as we learn of them. To request an event be added to the calendar, email safsdeij@uw.edu.

What’s going on around Seattle?

• On November 26–28, the Duwamish tribe will be hosting their annual Native Art Market and Holiday Gift Fair at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. If you live on Duwamish land, consider paying rent.
• This month, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is publishing a series of “stories to amplify and honor people, businesses, organizations, stories, and projects connected to Seattle’s Indigenous community.” Start with the first piece, “What Does it Mean to Be Indigenous in the 21st Century?” by D.A. Navoti.
• King 5 recently interviewed students participating in Clear Sky Academy, a program for high school students that offers culturally relevant courses on American Indian art, culture, history, and language. Clear Sky Academy is one of the programs run by the Urban Native Education Alliance.
• The Puyallup tribe has a robust program to teach txʷəlšucid/Lushootseed, the native language of at least 13 tribes in the Puget Sound region.

I need something to read/watch!

• The Seattle Public Library has a list of contemporary Native American fiction, and The Chicago Review of Books recently put out a list of must-read books by Indigenous writers.
• The SAFS Equity and Inclusion Library (in Michael Martínez’s office in FSH 116) has the following books available for folks to borrow: Recovering the Sacred by Winona Laduke, Native Seattle by Coll-Peter Thrush, The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer, and Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. If you have book recommendations, email safsdeij@uw.edu.
• This year has seen the release of two television series created by Indigenous folks: Reservation Dogs (available for streaming on Hulu) and Rutherford Falls (available for streaming on Peacock).
• Throughout the month, the Red Nation International Film Festival will have available for streaming an array of feature films, documentaries, and shorts by Native and Indigenous filmmakers from around the world.