MSU Denver

Celebrate Native and Indigenous Heritage Month

Metropolitan State University of Denver resides on the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, and Ute people, all of whom still are in an ongoing relationship with this land. One of the ways we fight the erasure of Indigenous peoples is by recognizing the history that brought settlers, whether voluntary or formerly enslaved, to occupy this land. Here, that history is the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858 and 1859, where settlements like Auraria and Denver as well as other land grabs for gold mining that devastated the land and interrupted Ute and Cheyenne ways of living. Over the course of the next 20 years and the next rushes to take silver from the ground, the Cheyenne and Ute were displaced from this area, their homeland. By knowing this history, we can better understand our place within it and seek to be in the right relationship with the people who were here before us, and with the lands we, too, must steward in our work. 

In recognition of Native Indigenous Heritage Month in November, the Native Indigenous Student Alliance in partnership with locally based organizations, the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA), the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy (GITA), Journey Through Our Heritage, and the University of Colorado Denver Center for Identity and Inclusion (CII), will be hosting a variety of events to educate the campus on issues that are pertinent to the Native Indigenous communities. It is especially important to understand that Native Indigenous communities still exist and with your support, their voices can be centered and heard. Join us, to dispel preconceived notions of indigeneity and to better understand indigenous intersectional identities. 

Events

Fried Bread

Native Indigenous Heritage Month Kick-Off  

Tuesday, November 1st | 11:30AM – 12:30PM

Tivoli Garage Lounge 257

Please join the Native Indigenous Student Alliance, with collaboration and support from the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion on the history of frybread origination. Navajo frybread originated 144 years ago, when the United States forced Native Indigenous Peoples in Arizona to make the 300-mile journey known as the “Long Walk” and relocated to New Mexico; onto land that couldn’t easily support their traditional staples of vegetables and beans. Please join us in a meal (until food is gone) celebrating Native Indigenous Heritage Month with a local fry bread maker.

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Walking into Fall: The Truth About Thankstaking with Guest Speaker Donna Chrisjohn 

Tuesday, November 8th | 1:30 – 2:30PM

Tivoli 320s

Please join the Native Indigenous Student Alliance, with collaboration and support from the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA), the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), and the University of Colorado Denver Center for Inclusion and Identity (CII) in a discussion about Thankstaking. November is the month many people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving. While it is tempting to ignore history and focus on the benign, familiar archetypes of Pilgrims and Indians, the reality for Indigenous Peoples is far more complex. Please join an educational discussion on Thankstaking with Donna Chrisjohn (Sicangu Lakota and Dine), born and raised in Denver, a wife and a mother of five. She is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in private, public and tribal law. Donna stays active in the Native Indigenous community, both locally and nationally, by volunteering and participating in several organizations. Currently, she serves on the Denver American Indian Commission (former Co-Chair), Chinook Fund’s Board of Directors (Co-Chair) and the board for the People of the Sacred Land. 

Prey

Triple F Screening Series: "Prey"

Thursday, November 10th | 3:00 – 6:00PM

Tivoli Multicultural Lounge 261

Please join the Native Indigenous Student Alliance with collaboration and support from the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion, and the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy for the viewing of Prey. Set in the Camanche Nation 300 years ago, Prey is an all-new action thriller. It is the story of a young oman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior who has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hungers who roam the Great Plains. So, when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries. This movie will be followed by a dialogue discussion regarding Indigenous representation in the film. Food will be provided.

Joe Salazar

Native Indigenous History with Former Colorado State Representative, Joe Salazar 

Wednesday, November 16th | 5:00 – 7:00PM

Tivoli 440s/550s

Please join the Native Indigenous Student Alliance with collaboration and support from the University of Colorado Denver Center for Identity and Inclusion, and the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion in dialogue with Representative Joe Salazar, who will share his experiences as a Representative and an attorney. Representative Salazar will discuss what he has done for the Indigenous community and what it means to be Indigenous and Chicano. Snacks and drinks will be provided.  

Deserea Richards

Meet and Greet with Native Indigenous Program Coordinator, Deserea Richards 

Thursday, November 30th | 11:30AM – 1:00PM

JSSB 237 CMEI Multicultural Lounge

Please join the Native Indigenous Student Alliance, with collaboration and support from the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA), and the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion in welcoming Deserea Richards, the new Native Indigenous Program Coordinator for Student Support in CESA.

Event Biographies

Auraria Native Indigenous Alliance (NISA)

Interested in joining NISA? Use this link below to contact us and get involved!

NISA

Want to Learn More?

To build and strengthen ties to the Native and Indigenous communities within Denver, please visit and support the following organizations and resources below: 

Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI)

Questions? Contact CMEI

Learn More About CMEI

Email:
[email protected]

Campus Location:

Tivoli Student Union 305

Phone:

303-615-0606

Mailing Address:

Campus Box 39, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362