Oct. 9, 2023

Dear students, faculty and staff,

Today, UAF joins thousands of communities across the country on the second Monday of October in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Our recognition and celebration of this day is one of many ways we continue to create a more inclusive and welcoming university.

Indigenous Peoples' Day in Alaska is a time to celebrate and honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Alaska's Indigenous peoples. It's a day to recognize their resilience, strength, and enduring connection to the land. I invite you to join me and members of our staff, faculty and students in engaging in Indigenous Peoples’ Day events across our campuses.

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day in Alaska, let us commit ourselves to learning more about the diverse Indigenous cultures in our state, to listening to their stories and experiences, and to working together toward a more just and equitable future for all. It's a day to celebrate the past, honor the present, and work toward a better future in which Indigenous voices are heard, respected, and valued.

On UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ campus, the Festival of Native Arts club will be holding its annual frybread tacos fundraiser from noon to 2 p.m. in the Brooks Building Gathering Room. The Indigenous Peoples’ Day planning committee is working with several UAF student clubs on interactive events and activities to be held in the Wood Center from 2-6 p.m. The Nanook Diversity and Action Center will be hosting a workshop on skin sewing with Amy Topkok from 5-7 p.m. You can find the full schedule of events on the College of Rural and Community Development website. We invite you to join us in celebrating this important day!

UAF’s rural campuses also have a number of events planned including an Indigenous Peoples’ Day film festival sponsored by the Northwest Campus in Nome. The second annual IPD festival will be hosted by the Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel. The Bristol Bay Campus will celebrate with a showing of the Alaska Native Language Center's award winning "Awake" film and snack on salmon spread and pilot bread. UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development also encourages the UAF community to participate in “Rock Your Moccs” during the week of Oct. 9-13 and “Wear it Wednesday” to wear your Qaspeq on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UAF community for making our campuses a place of welcoming.

Thanks for choosing UAF.

— Dan White, chancellor