The Native American Student Association (NASA) at UT Arlington commemorated Indigenous Peoples’ Day by bringing over a dozen local and regional Native-focused organizations to campus to connect communities.
“So far my favorite part of today has just been talking to all the different people and telling them about NASA,” said Madison Banda, a freshman political science major and NASA member. “Seeing them get excited about it has just been really cool. It’s nice to have people at your school very interested in your group and your culture.”
Mavericks enjoyed Indian tacos made from alumna Phyllis Nuno’s family, performances by Ollin Cuauhtli/Eagle Movement Aztec Danza, an art exhibition by Native Now and much more. Attendees were also able to hear from on- and off-campus organizations about the work they do to support Native and Indigenous communities.
Tasha Pelletier, a doctoral social work student, said it was very important for her to come to campus on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and bring her niece along.
“You don’t really see a lot of people coming together on days like Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but it is so nice to have this here and have your culture displayed and feel welcomed,” said Pelletier. “We are often not a seen demographic, especially in higher education, but here we have spaces to learn and be seen, which is really nice.”
Across the country, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day of celebration and commemoration of Indigenous American peoples and their histories and cultures. During Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2022, UTA dedicated a monument and the Land Acknowledgement Courtyard to acknowledge the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, upon whose historical homelands the University is located, and to recognize the historical presence of the Caddo Nation and other Tribal Nations in the region.
“Definitely this whole day, this whole event, was to try to get information out to the community, and also to let our people know that they are not alone here,” said Carletta Granado, vice president of NASA. “We’re all over here at UTA, and we’re open to anyone else who just wants to learn of our beautiful Native culture.”