The movie Dancing Salmon Home is part of Sac State’s Native American recognition.Sacramento State has several activities planned to help California celebrate Native American Day. Friday, Sept. 23, is the official day, but the University has events scheduled throughout September and into October to honor the cultures and traditions of Native Americans.
Native American Community Gathering: It all gets off to an early start with a “Welcome Back Gathering” for Native faculty, staff, and students from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the University Union, Delta Room. The event gives new faculty, staff, and students an opportunity to gather and share ideas and plans for the coming year.
Native American Day (lecture and film screening): The campus will host a lecture by Chief Caleen Sisk on the history and culture of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe of Northern California, as well as a screening of the award-winning film Dancing Salmon Home. Information on the tribe’s “Run 4 Salmon Campaign” also will be discussed. This campus event will kick off on Sept. 23 from 9 to 9:50 a.m. for the lecture and 10 to 10:50 a.m. for the film screening in Mariposa Hall, Room 1000.
Native American Day at the Capitol: Parallel to the campus event on Sept. 23, Native American Day also will be celebrated on the west steps of the State Capitol. Led by Annette Reed, a professor of Ethnic Studies, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will include cultural presentations, informational booths, and arts-and-crafts vendors. Students from the Educational Opportunity Program will serve as lead volunteers among many others in support of the day’s activities. The event is presented by the Central California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association, the Northern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and the California State Tribal Liaisons.
California Indian Curriculum Summit: To engage K-12 educators and leaders in the community, the California Indian Curriculum Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, in the University Union. The summit addresses pivotal information regarding history and social science curriculum, and Common Core standards. The information will be disseminated by a team of cultural consultants, content specialists, public school teachers, and community advocates to impart key knowledge to educators and private school teachers.
An emphasis will be placed on third through 11th grade educational reform. Variable Continuing Education credit is available for attendance of the summit. Lunch and breakfast will be provided. The event is sponsored by the College of Education, Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs, and the Educational Opportunity Program. For additional information, please contact Professor Rose Borunda in the College of Education, rborunda@csus.edu.
Indigenous Peoples Day: The events culminate on Oct. 11 with a celebration of Native culture and traditions from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to commemorate the history of the Native American peoples throughout the Americas. The event sponsors include Native American Studies, and the Native American Faculty and Staff Council. For additional information, contact Professor Brian Baker in the Ethnic Studies Department at baker@csus.edu.
– Craig Koscho