Events

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Students listening to an address during Indigenous Peoples Day

Why do we honor Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors Alaska Native people, culture and knowledge. The unanimous support for this special day acknowledges how the contributions of Alaska Native peoples and Indigenous knowledge enhance education provided by the University of Alaska. Indigenous Peoples' Day is recognized on the second Monday of October.

In 2017, the University of Alaska Fairbanks celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day for the first time.  Resolutions from students, staff and faculty groups across the University of Alaska system have unanimously supported recognizing “Indigenous Peoples' Day.” Each campus hosted a culturally relevant event incorporating elements of the indigenous history of place, culture and language associated with their regions. 

 

Event archive

Date: Monday, October 12, 2020

Theme: "Resiliency Through Hope and Love."

Many thanks to our IPD event planning team for putting together a virtual program in celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration will take place Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, at 11 a.m. Our goal in celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day at UAF is to honor Alaska Native people, culture and knowledge. This year's theme is "Resiliency Through Hope and Love". We hope to continue to:

  • Share how the interconnectedness of Indigenous people, land and spirit — the love and the hope of a sustainable future — is what drives us to work together.
  • Spread public awareness of the histories, experiences and resilience of Indigenous peoples.

Keynote: Heather Kendall-Miller

Alaska Native rights attorney, Heather Kendall-Miller will give the keynote address at UAF's Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, at 11 a.m. This year's theme is "Resiliency Through Hope and Love." The event will be available online at media.uaf.edu.

Kendall-Miller is Denaina Athabaskan and a tribal member of the Curyung Tribe of Dillingham, Alaska. She received her Bachelors degree from UAF in 1988 and her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1991. After clerking with Chief Justice Rabinowitz of the Alaska Supreme Court, Heather received a two-year Skadden Fellowship to work for Alaska Legal Services and the Native American Rights Fund in the area of Alaska Native Rights. Heather became staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund in 1993. Her litigation experience is broad having argued before the United States Supreme Court, the D.C. Court of Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals en banc."

Watch the 2020 Indigenous Peoples' Day Keynote

How do we come together virtually? Send us your video/images!

We are living through unprecedented times. Our theme "Resiliency Through Hope and Love" is a testament to that. Our theme speaks to the interconnectedness of Indigenous people, land and spirit. We need to hear you and see you! Let's come together - students, staff, faculty, community members across the state - share with us! Send us a short video of no more than 60 seconds, or still image sharing:

  • Your interpretation of the theme as it relates to your current life experiences, how you show pride in your Indigenous heritage, or simply a still image of yourself in Native regalia.

Send your video clips to uaf-crcd@alaska.edu. Will need photos/video by Wednesday, October 7 to be considered for potential inclusion.

2020 Indigenous Peoples' Day Events

Media coverage

Media coverage

Download the 2019 flyer (PDF)