Native American/Alaskan Native Heritage Month

AISA Study Groups: Study, Connect, and Build Community!

Starting Tuesday, November 3rd and every Tuesday | 3:30PM – 5:00PM | Tivoli Student Union Room ARC 241 

Join the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA) for weekly study groups! Whether you’re catching up on assignments, preparing for exams, or simply looking for a supportive space to focus, come study alongside fellow students in a welcoming, community-centered environment.

These weekly gatherings are an opportunity to stay motivated, build connections, and support one another throughout the semester. Bring your homework, study materials, and a friend!

Critical Discussion: “The First Peoples of Colorado: Truth, History, and Resilience.”

Wednesday, November 4th | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Jordan Student Success Building (JSSB) – CAVEA

As Colorado recognizes its 150th anniversary of statehood, it is important to acknowledge that the history of this land did not begin in 1876. Long before Colorado became a state, these lands were home to Indigenous Nations, including the Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Northern Arapaho peoples, whose histories, cultures, and connections to these lands continue today.

Join MSU Denver’s Native American/Alaska Native Programming for Student Success and Engagement (NASSE) for a critical discussion bringing together Native community members and leaders to share their histories, lived experiences, and perspectives that have often been excluded from mainstream historical narratives.

We are honored to welcome three panelists whose work has centered on protecting Indigenous histories, cultural preservation, language, and Tribal sovereignty:

Cassandra Atencio – Southern Ute tribal leader and former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Crystal C’Bearing – Enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, also Cheyenne River Sioux, and Director of the Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

Fred Mosqueda – Member of Little Raven’s Arapaho Band, Arapaho Outreach Specialist, and NAGPRA/Sand Creek Massacre Representative for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

Together, these panelists will share their knowledge and perspectives on Indigenous histories, cultural preservation, ancestral connections to these lands, and the importance of ensuring that Native voices are included in how history is told and remembered.

This conversation is an opportunity to challenge historical narratives, engage directly with Indigenous voices, and recognize that Native peoples are not simply part of Colorado’s past but remain an important part of its present and future.

From Survival to Frybread: History of Resilience, Food & Community An Interactive Cooking

Tuesday, November 10th | Noon – 3:00PM | Hospitality Learning Center (HLC), Kitchen 104

Join us for a hands-on frybread-making workshop led by AISA Student Organization President Angel Morado! This workshop will explore the complex history of frybread, its origins as a survival food during the forced displacement of Native peoples, and its lasting significance within Native communities today.

Frybread emerged from a history of colonization, when Native Nations were forcibly removed from their homelands and separated from their traditional food systems. With limited access to traditional foods, Native families adapted government-issued commodities such as flour, salt, and lard to survive.

While frybread has become a symbol of resilience, family, and community, its history also opens important conversations about the long-term health impacts of colonial food systems, including the prevalence of diabetes and other diet-related health disparities in Native communities.

Through cooking, conversation, and shared learning, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between food, history, cultural identity, and Indigenous resilience.

Come learn, cook, and connect as we honor the strength of our ancestors while recognizing the importance of Indigenous food sovereignty and the reclamation of traditional foodways.

Resilience Week: Honoring Native Identity, Culture, and Community

Join Native American/Alaska Native Student Success and Engagement (NASSE) and the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA) for **Resilience Week, November 9–13, 2026!**

Throughout the week, we invite Native students, faculty, and staff to Resilience Week: Honoring Native Identity, Culture, and Community

**November 9–13, 2026 | MSU Denver faculty, staff, and community members to celebrate Native identity, culture, representation, and resilience. Each day will highlight different ways to express pride in who we are, where we come from, and the strength of our Tribal Nations.

In recognition of **Veterans Day on November 11**, we also want to honor our Native American veterans, past and present, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Native peoples have a long history of military service, and we want to recognize their contributions, sacrifices, and the families and communities who stand alongside them.

**Participate throughout the week by:**

• Wearing your ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts, beadwork, Tribal clothing, moccasins, or other items that represent your identity and resilience.
• Sharing photos of yourself celebrating your Native identity and honoring the Native veterans in your life.
• Tagging NASSE and AISA on social media so we can celebrate and uplift Native representation across campus.
• Stopping by **Tivoli 129** throughout the week to connect, take photos, and participate in our celebration of Native identity and resilience.

Whether you participate virtually or in person, we encourage you to take up space, represent your Tribal Nation, honor those who came before us, and celebrate the resilience that continues through our generations.

**Our existence is our resistance, and our resilience deserves to be seen and celebrated!**

Parfleche Painting Workshop with Rhyia Joyheart

Thursday, November 12th | 5:30PM – 7:30PM | Tivoli 129

Join us for an evening of creativity, cultural learning, and community with Rhyia Joyheart!

Parfleche is a traditional art form practiced by many Plains Tribal Nations, historically used to create beautifully decorated rawhide containers for storing and transporting belongings. These designs reflect artistic expression, cultural knowledge, and traditions passed down through generations.

During this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the cultural significance of parfleche while exploring their own creativity through painting. Whether you’re familiar with this art form or learning about it for the first time, we invite you to join us for an evening of learning, connection, and cultural appreciation.

Beads, Ribbons, Bingo & Bites: An Afternoon of Creativity, Culture, and Connection

Friday, November 13th | 11:00AM – 2:30PM | Tivoli 444

Join Native American/Alaska Native Student Success and Engagement (NASSE) and the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA) for an afternoon filled with cultural creativity, laughter, food, and community!

Participants will have the opportunity to learn beaded wristlet making with Daryle Conquering Bear and ribbon skirt making with Angel Morado, President of AISA. These hands-on activities celebrate Native artistic expression, cultural knowledge, and the importance of passing traditions and skills between generations.

In addition to the workshops, we’ll have bingo, food, and opportunities to connect with fellow students and community members.

Whether you’re learning a new skill, sharing knowledge, or simply looking for a welcoming space to connect, we invite you to join us as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month through creativity, culture, and community.

Horsehair Art Earring Workshop & Fundraiser Hosted by AISA

Monday, November 16th | Noon – 2:00PM | Tivoli 129

Join the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA) for an afternoon of creativity, community, and student support!

This hands-on workshop invites participants to explore horsehair art through earring making while connecting with fellow students and community members. Horsehair has been used in artistic traditions among various Indigenous communities, and this workshop offers an opportunity to appreciate the creativity and craftsmanship involved in working with this material.

This event also serves as a fundraiser supporting AISA and its continued efforts to create opportunities for Native student engagement, cultural programming, and community building at MSU Denver.

Come create something meaningful, connect with community, and support Native student leadership!