MISSOULA – The University of Montana plans a five-day celebration to recognize American Indian heritage, Monday through Friday, Sept. 18-22. All events are free and open to the public. Each day has a focused theme.

UM students, faculty and staff members don colorful moccasins during “Rock Your Mocs” Day on Sept. 23. The University is celebrating American Indian heritage with several events on campus Monday Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22. (UM Photo)
UM students, faculty and staff members don colorful moccasins during “Rock Your Mocs” Day during the 2016 American Indian Heritage Celebration. The University is celebrating American Indian heritage with several events on campus Monday Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22. (UM Photo)
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The 2017 schedule is:

Monday, Sept. 18. Theme: STEM

  • 7:15 a.m.: Sunrise ceremony, Payne Family Native American Center fire pit.
  • Noon-1 p.m.: STEM seminar presented by Associate Professor Aaron Thomas. The UM Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society will lead hands-on science activities following the seminar. PFNAC 201.
  • 7 p.m.: City of Missoula Proclamation of American Indian Heritage Day by Mayor John Engen, City Council Chambers.

Tuesday, Sept. 19. Theme: Traditional Ecological Knowledge

  • All day: Traditional regalia show, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Tours of the PFNAC.
  • Noon-1 p.m.: TEK talk hosted by Ruth Swaney, PFNAC 201.
  • Afternoon: TEK tables, PFNAC garden.

Wednesday, Sept. 20. Theme: Social Justice, Rock Your Moccs and Wear Your Native Pride

  • All day: Traditional regalia show, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • All day: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women exhibit, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Tours of the PFNAC.
  • 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Soup Wednesday, co-sponsored by the Native American Law Student Association and the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, PFNAC.
  • Noon: Traditional foods demonstration, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • 1-3 p.m.: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Traveling People’s Center, on the Oval in front of the PFNAC.
  • 4:30-7 p.m. Film viewing and discussion of “Awake, A Dream from Standing Rock,” moderated by UM Professor George Price, PFNAC 105.

Thursday, Sept. 21. Theme: Art and Humanities

  • All day: Traditional regalia show, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • All day: Native photographer display, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Star Stories with Destini Vaile, PFNAC Planetarium.
  • 6 p.m.: KyiYo community Bingo, PFNAC 103.
  • 6-8 p.m.: Native American Hoop Dancer Terrance Littletent, Lowell Elementary School, 1200 Sherwood St. Hosted by Missoula County Public Schools’ Indian Education Department.
  • 7 p.m.: Book reading and signing of “Invisible Reality: Storytellers, Storytakers and the Supernatural World of the Blackfeet,” by author and UM Associate Professor Rosalyn LaPier, Fact & Fiction, 220 N. Higgins Ave.

Friday, Sept. 22. Theme: Health and Wellness

  • 8:30 a.m.: Tipi raising, the Oval outside the PFNAC.
  • 9-11 a.m.: SciNation hands-on science learning exhibit, the Oval outside the PFNAC.
  • 11:40 a.m.: Native American Studies Welcome by NAS Chair Ted Van Alst, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • Noon: Proclamation of American Indian Heritage Day by UM President Sheila Stearns, PFNAC Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Place.
  • 12:15 p.m.: Traditional Native games, the Oval outside the PFNAC.

            For more information or to volunteer, contact Michelle Guzman, UM Native American studies adviser, at michelle.guzman@mso.umt.edu.

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