Lawrence University to hold Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Oct. 9

Lawrence University will hold its 8th annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on Monday, Oct. 9 on Main Hall Green.

The outdoor event, set for 5 to 7 p.m., will feature guest speakers, performances by Appleton Area School District Native American students, and a pow-wow demonstration with singers, drummers, and dancers from Oneida Nation.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is set annually on the second Monday of October, celebrating the history and many contributions of Indigenous people. A growing number of cities, states, and universities have officially adopted the national holiday.

The annual event is sponsored by Lawrence’s I.D.E.A.S. Division, the Diversity and Intercultural Center (D&IC), Office of Student Engagement for Activities and Leadership (SEAL), Lawrence University Native Alliance (LUNA), Appleton Area School District Diversity and Inclusion Department, and Oneida Nation Tourism.

Speakers will include Lawrence President Laurie A. Carter and tribal leaders Jon Greendeer, president of Ho-Chunk Nation; Gena Kakkak, chairwoman of Menominee Nation; and Dennis Kenote, Menominee elder.

“This celebration is a wonderful collaborative opportunity to welcome people from the entire state of Wisconsin to Lawrence University,” said Brigetta Miller, an associate professor of music in the Lawrence Conservatory who has served as the faculty advisor to LUNA, a student organization, since its inception in 2008. “Since our campus is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nations, we are especially excited the current tribal leaders from each of these communities will be joining us. As a Native American professor and graduate of Lawrence, it is one of my favorite days of the year to see the university taking action steps to raise visibility about the strength and resilience of our local tribal communities—it’s a very special day for all of us to gather together.”

Indigenous foods will be available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.