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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Education is not only a passion but a purpose for Donna. She is an Indigenous Education Consultant (Inyan Consulting) and has been presenting the Indigenous perspective to schools and organizations for over 40 years. Donna is a 2021 Moonshot EdVentures fellow. Education is not only a passion but a purpose for Donna. She is an Indigenous Education Consultant (Inyan Consulting) and has been presenting the Indigenous perspective to schools and organizations for over 40 years. Donna is a 2021 Moonshot EdVentures fellow.
Joseph A. Salazar is a former Democratic member of the Colorado House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to early 2019. Salazar previously worked as an attorney with Smith, Shelton, Ragona and Salazar, LLC. He focused on employment law, civil rights, and constitutional law.
Deserea Richards is the new Native Indigenous Program Coordinator for Student Support in the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA). She is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation located in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. She has been back in Colorado for the past 10 years. Deserea received her Associates in Psychology from the Community College of Aurora. She later transferred to MSU Denver Fall of 2019. Deserea graduated May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and minor in Human Services. She is a mother to three amazing kiddos and a wife to her partner of 11½ years. She loves to do many outdoor activities with her family and friends. Her passion for advocacy for the Native Indigenous population is something she holds dear to her heart. She is hoping to be the resource for Native Indigenous students and youth to stay culturally connected while also pursuing more knowledge in all aspects of their lives. The youth and younger generations are our future and with that we need to uplift them in all systems. She is also the Secretary of the Indigenous parent action committee at the Cherry Creek School District. Deserea is a proud member of a local non-profit organization, Chinook Fund’s Giving Project, where she actively engages in social justice work helping to support local social justice non-profit organizations to thrive in Colorado.
Auraria Native Indigenous Alliance (NISA)
Interested in joining NISA? Use this link below to contact us and get involved!
NISAWant 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:
Support MSU Denver’s Native Indigenous Student Alliance (NISA) in future events.
American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL): American Indigenous non-profit organization solely dedicated to empowering students in business and entrepreneurial ventures through education and leadership development opportunities.
Denver March Powwow: one of the many Native Indigenous sponsored events in Denver.
Four Winds American Indian Council: organization dedicated to strengthening and empowering a resilient Indian community in metropolitan Denver.
Spirit of the Sun: founded on the belief that effective and sustainable development work recognizes the intersections of culture, community, economy, health, and that true success is only possible through collaboration.
Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI)
Questions? Contact CMEI
Learn More About CMEIPhone:
303-615-0606
Mailing Address:
Campus Box 39, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362