Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Feature by: Jeanine Gordon, Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach & Tebraie Banda-Johns, Director of the Intercultural Center

The Cayuse name for the Walla Walla Valley is Pášx̣apa, which means “Place of the Wild Sunflowers.”

On December 14, 1915, Red Fox James, who rode on horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians, presented endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. Even though there is no record of such a national day being proclaimed, there have been several similar declarations through the years in various states. President George H. W. Bush approved a resolution that designated November of 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month. Other proclamations have followed every year since 1994.

Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) is intended to encourage mindfulness and celebration of the history, culture, traditions and important contributions of Native Americans. NAHM carves out a time for people to focus on educating the public about Native American Tribes, elevate awareness about past and present challenges and celebrate victories in overcoming challenges.

There are many ways to encourage participation in NAHM for our Tribal communities and for our surrounding non-native communities. Whatever activities we choose to participate in, if any, let us ever be mindful and celebrate in our hearts. We have history, we have culture, we have traditions, we contribute richly, we have challenges, we overcome and we are victorious.

We invite you to join us for the following events hosted by Whitman College during Native American Heritage Month:

Please join us in welcoming the following new Whitman employees who started in September/October:

Sherwood Athletic Center will close three hours prior to each of the final two Blues volleyball home games this week. Games begin tonight at 6 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Free admission at the door with your Whitman ID. Additional tickets may be purchased in advance.

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) Walla Walla Society will sponsor a lecture on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Olin 129. Patty Gerstenblith’s presentation on “Imperialism, Colonialism, Reparations, and the ‘Universal’ Museum” will discuss the right to cultural heritage through a human rights perspective.

All Whitman College faculty, staff, students and trustees are invited to submit candidates for consideration for the 2024 Commencement Speaker and/or Honorary Degree Recipient. Nominations are due by Sunday, Nov. 5. 

The offices of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion of the three Walla Walla area colleges will host a Staff & Faculty of Color Social on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. on the Walla Walla Community College campus. Join with peers from Walla Walla Community College, Whitman College and Walla Walla University to build community and network. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP in advance. (See attached flyer.)

Photo (Andrea Dobson): More than 30 STEM students presented research posters throughout the atrium of the Hall of Science during the recent Fall for Whitman Day.

Noon–1 p.m.

QConnect: LGBTQIA+ Discussion Group

Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Conference Room

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Stretch & Strength

Sherwood Athletic Center

3 p.m.

Open Office Hours: Off-Campus Studies

Memorial Building, Room 205

4 p.m.

Big Tent Gathering: Islam

All Faiths Room

4 p.m.

Dog Walking Orientation

Blue Mountain Humane Society (RSVP)

5–6 p.m.

Info Session: 3–2 Engineering Program

Hall of Science, Room 159

5 p.m.

Women of Color Voices: Wellness Wednesday

Glover Alston Center

6 p.m.

ASWC Sustainability Town Hall

Olin Auditorium

6–7 p.m.

Drop-In Q&A Session: Zotero

Penrose Library, Fishbowl (Room 313)

6 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Volleyball vs. Whitworth University

Sherwood Athletic Center

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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