Published on November 1, 2022  
Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month and Samford University will be paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans during this time. The Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives (ODII) will feature information on their Instagram page, @samforddiverse, about why we celebrate the Native American community during this time and how you can participate throughout the month.

In November 1990, Congress issued a joint resolution authorizing the president to proclaim the month of November each year as National Native American Heritage Month. Its roots date as far back as the early 1900s, when a desire to recognize the contributions of Native Americans began to be voiced through organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and leaders in the Native American community.

For decades, November has been a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of the Native people in northern America. Samford University plans to participate in this celebration and acknowledgement.

Jenée Spencer, director of diversity education and development, encourages all students and faculty to participate in the upcoming festivities.

“Native American Heritage Month is a time to educate the Samford community about tribes and to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native Americans have faced historically and now,” said Spencer.

ODII is excited to offer several opportunities for the Samford community to learn more about Native culture and participate in the celebration.

Native American Heritage Month Events

Culture in the Caf

November 7, 2022 - 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
University Center Cafeteria

NAHM Film and Discussion: Bloody Memory

November 9, 2022 - 3 p.m.
Christenberry Planetarium
Summary: Watch and discuss a film about the history of boarding schools, transracial adoption and fostering of Native children (in non-Native families) and how that has been devastating for Native people and has contributed to ongoing colonization.

Cultural Connection with Tara Maudrie

Presentation: Food Trauma, Food Insecurity, & Food Sovereignty in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
November 14, 2022  – 3 p.m.
Brock Forum
Summary: A student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Tara will present about Native food insecurity and sovereignty. Those in attendance will also have a chance to ask questions and learn more about opportunities for advocacy.
Zoom option

NAHM Lunch and Learn

“There’s no O’odham Word for Wall”: The Tohono O’odham Nation & Complexities at the U.S.-Mexico Border,  presented by Dr. Theresa Davidson
November 17, 2022 - 11:30 a.m.
Regions Room

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.