UAF hosting 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day events

Suzi Tanski
907-474-6092
Oct. 4, 2023

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with several events and activities across colleges, campuses and departments on Oct. 9, 2023.

Indigenous Peoples Day honors Alaska Native people, culture and knowledge. It affords time to reflect and acknowledge the Indigenous knowledge that enhances the education provided by the university. 

Two people serve lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos as toppings on fry bread tacos.
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Taniesha Moses, left, and Gabrielle Russell, right, add toppings as the Festival of Native Arts Club serves up fry bread tacos during 2022 Indigenous Peoples Day activities at UAF.

“As educators and leaders, it is our duty to foster a more inclusive educational system that acknowledges and values our ways of knowing,” said Brianna Gray, chair of the UAF Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Native Education. “Let us unite to celebrate the ancestral knowledge, wisdom and strength of Indigenous Peoples as we strive for healing and reconciliation.” 

UAF events (on Oct. 9 unless noted) include:

  • The UAF Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel will hold a community celebration from noon-6 p.m. at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. Festivities will include an Indigenous Peoples Day march, a Native foods potluck, a KYUK archival showcase and more. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
  • The UAF College of Rural and Community Development will host the annual Rock Your Moccs week from Oct. 9-13. Take a photo of your moccasins and tag @uafcrcd to have your photo featured on social media.
  • The College of Rural and Community Development will host Wear It Wednesday on Oct. 11. Wear your qaspeqs on Wednesday and tag @uafcrcd to have your photo featured on social media.
  • The UAF Festival of Native Arts will host its annual fry bread taco fundraiser from noon-2 p.m. in the Brooks Building on the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks. 
  • Multiple events will occur in the Wood Center on the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks from 2-6 p.m. 
    • 2 p.m.
      • Opening remarks, blessing, invitational dance — multilevel lounge
      • Informational and Indigenous art tables — multilevel lounge (continues through 6 p.m.)
    • 3 p.m.
      • Alaska Native foods tasting — main ballroom A/B
      • Native games demonstration — ballroom C/D
    • 4 p.m.
      • Fish skin sewing with Brianna Gray — ballroom C/D
      • Dance workshop — multilevel lounge
    • 5 p.m.
      • Closing: Troth Yeddha' Dance Group — multilevel lounge
      • Skin sewing with Amy Topkok — ballroom E/F

Visit the UAF Indigenous Peoples Day website for more information about the schedule of events and past celebrations.

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