Mount Holyoke College remains committed to developing campus-wide anti-racist educational programming each year. We continue to offer teach-in opportunities in partnership with internal campus partners and external content experts; these coalition efforts guide our learning and growth as a community. The annual observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a commemoration that seeks to honor the histories, contributions, legacies and experiences of the Indigenous peoples of North America, often referred to as Native American or American Indian communities. It is recognized throughout the United States of America on the second Monday in October.
At Mount Holyoke, we honor the legacies of Indigenous tribes in Western Massachusetts who were the original caretakers of the area that we now occupy. Our teach-in this year seeks to provide educational opportunities that will lead people to action in support of ending the erasure of Indigenous contributions and providing redress to communities who were impacted by settler colonialism.
Co-sponsored with Archives and Special Collections, the Office of Diversity, Equity and inclusion, the Office of Community and Belonging, the Office of the Dean of Faculty and the Division of Student Life.
Content warning: Some of the videos and discussions that will take place will include traumatic experiences related to the systemic oppression and violence that has persisted towards Indigenous peoples in North America.
Pre-Recorded Sessions from Mount Holyoke
Implicit Bias: Stereotypes and Monuments with Claudia Fox Tree
Early Indigenous Students’ Stories with Archives and Special Collections led by Leslie Fields
Understanding Land Acknowledgements with Claudia Fox Tree
Indigenous Self-Determination and Non-Native Accountability with Marcus Trujillo
How to be an Ally to Indigenous People with Claudia Fox Tree, Jennifer Wolfrum, Johnny Cole, Marika Sjuan Hamilton
We encourage support for healing organizations focused on supporting those who have experienced harm related to the boarding school travesties:
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
Orange Shirts Across North America by Ella Nathaneal Alkiewicz
Develop an action and responsibility plan
Racial Healing Handbook Activity - Working Towards Anti-Racism by Dr. Anneliese Singh
Join us in reading and working through:
Articles:
Here's what Indigenous Peoples' Day means to Native Americans by Emma Bowman
Tribal Land Acknowledgements, What They Are and Why We Need To Do Them by Claudia Fox Tree
Why Indigenous rights are key to fighting climate change by David Kaimowitz
How Native Tribes are taking the lead on climate change by Nicola Jones
Indigenous Resistance has staved off annual emissions by Adam Mahoney
Poetry and Literature:
Bless this Land by Joy Harjo
The Naming by Karenne Wood
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians Out of Existence in New England by Jean M. O’Brien
When the Other is Me: Native Resistance Discourse, 1850-1990 by Emma LaRoque
And More:
ILLUMINATIVE Change The Story, Change The Future Action and Insights Guide
United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples
For Children and Young Adults:
What’s the Story with the National Story (4 minute video)
We Are Still Here! by Traci Sorell
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman by Sharice Davids with Nancy K. Mays
Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Luby
We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
The People Shall Continue by Simon J. Ortiz
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids
Visual References and Artists:
Project 562 by Matika Wilbur
Paige Pettibon
Video Resources:
Unspoken: America’s Native American Boarding Schools(56-minute video)
The Thick Dark Fog, available on Kanopy with an MHC login (56-minute video)
Local Indigenous Peoples Day Events:
Ceremonial Celebration, October 14, 2024, Albemarle Field, Newton MA
See a list of events provided on the website for the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day Events and Programs:
National Museum of the American Indian, 2024 Native Knowledge 360° Teach-In, Saturday, November 2, 2024, 12-3 pm
