November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and First Nations members. Austin Community College District (ACC) invites employees, students, and the community to honor the occasion.
ACC’s Teaching and Learning Excellence Division (TLED) has created a Cultural Mosaic: Native American Heritage, to bring together college-focused and community activities that support culturally responsive teaching and learning.
Highlights for 2024 include:
Austin Public Library Native American Heritage Events
The Austin Public Library (APL) invites the community to join a series of events in honor of Native American Heritage Month. These hands-on workshops and craft sessions celebrate Native American culture and artistry, featuring activities like pottery making, beadwork, and fingerweaving, led by Native American artists and cultural presenters. All events are designed to engage participants of various ages and skill levels, providing a creative and educational experience.
Dates: Events span throughout November, beginning on Wednesday, November 6
Locations: Locations vary across APL branches – View All Events
Native American and Indigenous Student Data Deep Dive
For Native American Heritage Month, Dr. Richard Griffiths from the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics (OIRA) will provide an overview of Indigenous student success metrics at ACC in comparison to national trends. The presentation will also highlight Indigenous student satisfaction with the college and its services based on recent survey results. Following the presentation, there will be an open discussion focused on how to better meet the needs of Indigenous students and continue to enhance their success.
Dates: Thursday, November 14
Time: 4 – 5 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom (link coming soon)
ACC Fashion Design Event: Featuring Native American Designer and Artist, Nan Blassingame
ACC Fashion Design is excited to welcome back Native American designer and artist Nan Blassingame. She will share her journey of using fashion to educate others about Native American culture. With a history of showcasing her work at Fashion Week in both New York and Austin, Blassingame has created one-of-a-kind dresses for events such as the Austin Powwow and Miss North Dakota. Her designs are part of a permanent display at the Bullock Museum, where she continues to educate the Austin community about Indigenous culture. Join us to meet this talented designer, ask questions, and view some of her remarkable creations up close.
Date: Monday, November 18
Time: 4 – 5 p.m.
Location: ACC Highland Campus, Building 4000 Atrium
Austin Powwow
The Austin Powwow offers a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate Native American culture and heritage. This event features a grand entry with dancers from across the country, traditional dance competitions, and a vibrant Native market with food and crafts. Open to the public, the Powwow provides a welcoming space for all to learn about Native traditions through captivating performances and authentic cultural expressions. Everyone is invited to join in this lively and educational celebration.
Date: Saturday, November 23
Time: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Travis County Expo Center – Purchase Tickets
ACC District Land Acknowledgement
Presented by Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez, TLED Associate Vice Chancellor:
“Native American culture is born of the land, and we gratefully acknowledge that Austin Community College occupies the Indigenous ancestral homelands of the Coahuiltecan, Jumanos, Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Kiikaapoi, Mascogo, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), Sana and Tonkawa, as well as all other vibrant American Indian and Indigenous peoples’ communities who communed with this land or make their home here today. The college resides on land ceded in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.”
View the full list of events and find additional resources on the Cultural Mosaic: Native American Heritage.