2023 Native American Heritage Month Celebration
October 30th | Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
The Great Acorn Hunt
Location: U-Yard
Grab a cup of apple cider, a bag and instructions on how to forage for acorns on campus.
Nov. 2, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hesperus National Forum
1300 I St. NW
Free
Hesperus National Forum celebrates Native American Heritage Month and the contributions of Native American and Alaska Native veterans.
Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Native American Arts
Library of Congress
10 First St. SE
Free (also other days and times through Dec. 6)
This small, curated display for National Native American Heritage Month honors creative work by Indigenous artists from various tribal nations. It highlights work promoted by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board in association with Native galleries and museums in 1970, and Plains Indian and Pacific Northwest painting and drawing, featuring the tradition of Ledger Art and the work of women artists.
November 4th | Time: 2:00-5:00pm
Celebrating Native Culture Through Beadwork
Location: The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
Artist Melanie Bender (Choctaw/Apache), an artisan specializing in creating beaded jewelry, will be leading a beadwork demonstration at the Textile Museum. GW community members will be able to learn the significance of bead work in various Native cultures and create a product of their own!
November 8th | Matinee Showing
A Trip To…Killers of the Flower Moon
Location: Off Campus
Join us on a group trip to see the film Killers of the Flower Moon in the theater! The film covers the Osage Reign of Terror, in which the Osage people were violently targeted for their oil wealth. Viewer discretion is advised, as this film has graphic depictions of violence.
November 10th | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Dance and Drum Performance from the Rappahannock Tribe Dancers
Location: Kogan Plaza
The Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia will allow members of the GW community to experience local Native culture for themselves by coming to perform traditional dances and a drum performance in Kogan Plaza. The event is free for all to come and watch!
November 13th | Time: 7:00pm
The Indigenous History of Thanksgiving with Professor Silverman
Location: Phillips 415
GW Professor of Native history David Silverman will be joining us to discuss his book, This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving, and dispel misconceptions about the holiday.
November 14th - December 1st
Acornucopia!
On view: Nov. 14 - Dec. 1, 2023 • Mon-Fri, 10-1pm • Closed Nov. 20-26 • Free
Panel Discussion: Nov. 29, 5:30-7:30pm
Gallery 102 at Smith Hall of Art, (801 22nd St NW)
Social Practice graduate student Shawn Shafner presents an exhibition and series of public programs highlighting the multipurpose food source, the acorn! The exhibition offers a sensory wonderland of acorn experiences, interactive instructions for turning this ubiquitous nut into nutritious food, and invites audiences to aid in reforestation efforts by donating native acorns through our partner at Tomorrow's Trees. Click here to learn about the upcoming Acournucopia! events and how to get involved.
November 15th | Time: 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Welcome to a Native Place
Location: American Indian Museum, (4th Street SW)
Free
Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present.
November 16th | Time: 6:00pm
Centering Indigeneity: A Talk with GW Alums Robert Maxim and Kathy Baird
Location: MSSC
SINAR will moderate a discussion between Senior Research Associate at Brookings Metro Robert Maxim (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Kathy Baird (Sicangu Lakota/Oneida), Chief Communications Officer at the Washington Post to discuss their experiences at Native students at GW and beyond as professionals.
November 18th | Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Nature Walk
Location: Depart from Smith 102
Participate in a nature walk with local forager Bohi Vasilopolous. No Registration required.
November 24th | Time: 10:30am
A Trip To…the NMAI to Honor the Jingle Dress
Location: NMAI (4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560)
Celebrate Native American Heritage Day with us by joining SINAR for a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian for their Honoring the Jingle Dress event! We will meet at the Foggy Bottom metro at 10:30 and head over to learn about the jingle dance and see some beautiful performances!
November 29th | Time: 7:00pm
SINAR x FFS: Film Screening of "Lakota Nation vs. the United States"
Location: USC 307
SINAR and the GW Foreign Film Society will be hosting a screening of the documentary "Lakota Nation vs. the United States." Professor Silverman will lead a discussion following the film regarding its contents, and conflicts facing Indigenous people today.
November 29th | Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Acorns: From Forest to Food
Location: Seva Teaching Campus (1810 K Street NW)
An acorn pancake tasting and a panel conversation about the cultural, culinary and ecological value of oak trees and their seeds.