Monday, October 12th is the second Monday in October this year, which makes it Indigenous People's Day in the U.S. and Missoulians are celebrating with a variety of events at the U of M.

In 2019, Democratic Rep. Shane Morigeau proposed changing the name of the federally recognized holiday to Indigenous People's Day, but sadly, the proposal was tabled. No matter, Bozeman and Missoula still refer to the day as such, and celebrate accordingly. Fifteen states have officially changed the name of the holiday, including Idaho and Oregon, it's disheartening this hasn't already happened in a state where about 10% of the population is Native American.

This Monday, the public is welcome for the tribal flag raising at the Payne Native American Center at 8:30 a.m. All are encouraged to Indigenize campus by wearing expressions of their respective cultures.

Here are all of the events planned:

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. “EXPRESSING OURSELVES: LANGUAGE ON THE OVAL”, sponsored by the Native American Natural Resources Program Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to write words, phrases, etc. in their languages with chalk on the Oval (outer sidewalk), Chalk will be available upon request in the Payne Family Native American Center rotunda

10:00 a.m. AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENT SERVICES (AISS) LODGE RAISING AND “SOCIALLY-DISTANT GIVEAWAY & RAFFLE”, on the Oval Sage/Sweetgrass/Sweet Pine available Locally sourced teas Raffle items—“Native Griz” gear and other student essentials

11:00 a.m. ZOOM EVENT—STARTING A 2+2 PROGRAM WITH A TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY, Sponsored by the Office of Organizational Learning and Development, Provost’s Office, and the Office of the President Presented by Alana Bahe, Director, Community Health Department, Salish Kootenai College and Dr. Blakley Brown, Professor, Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana

10:00 a.m. – Noon TABLING ON THE OVAL, Kyiyo, AIBL, Native American Natural Resources Program, All Nations Health Center, Native American Law Student Association, Pacific Islanders Club, Latinx, and more

Noon Zoom Event - Indigenous People’s Day Proclamation and Guest Speakers President Bodnar, President, University of Montana Mirtha Becerra, Alderwoman Ward 2, Missoula City Council Marsha Small (Northern Cheyenne), Invited Speaker, Indigenous People’s Day Montana

12:30 p.m. SONG CHANT/HULA DANCE SHOWCASE, SPONSORED BY THE PACIFIC ISLANDERS CLUB, on the Oval

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Zoom Event —FORMALIZING A 2+2 AGREEMENT BETWEEN A TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY AND IMPLEMENTING AND SUSTAINING 2+2 PROGRAMS, Sponsored by the Office of Organizational Learning and Development, Provost’s Office, and the Office of the President Presented by Dr. Deanna Cooper, BSW Program Director, School of Social Work, University of Montana, Dr. Marilyn Zimmerman, Senior Director of Policy and Programs, National Native Children’s Trauma Center, University of Montana and Paige Furniss, Program Coordinator, UM School of Social Work, University of Montana

2:00 p.m. Zoom Event —INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY PRESENTATIONS Dr. Ranalda Tsosie (Dine), UM Alumni, University of Montana/Salish Kootenai College Dr. Salena Beaumont-Hill (Crow/Blackfeet), UM Alumni, American Indian Graduate Center Introducing Daniel Bird (Isleta Pueblo) and Nicole Benally, New UM Graduate Students, College of Forestry and Conservation Panel Discussion with Dr. Annie Belcourt (Three Affiliated Tribes/Blackfeet), Professor, College of Health, University of Montana

Find all of the Zoom links here. If you have any questions or need accommodations, please email Dr. Brad Hall at bradford.hall@mso.umt.edu

Garden of 1,000 Buddhas in Montana

More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM