Indigenous Peoples’ Day Panel at Minot State Oct. 14

MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State Native American Cultural Awareness Club is hosting an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Panel on Monday, Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. in the Beaver Dam, located on the second floor of the Minot State Student Center.

“We’re hoping to educate everyone on indigenous people in North Dakota and the impacts that we have had living in North Dakota as an indigenous people, the impact that Columbus had on us, and the history of him, and why we want the holiday to be recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day,” Gabriella Lilley, Minot State Native American Club president and panel coordinator, said.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day began as a counter-celebration held on the same day as Columbus Day to recognize indigenous peoples and their shared history and culture.

Lilley, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, is a freshman criminal justice major with aspirations of receiving her law degree with a focus in Native American law. She will be joined on the panel by Tawny (Trottier) Cale, enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Spirit Lake Nation;  Jorden Laducer, enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; Alexis Davis, enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; Jeryn Marcellais, enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; and Jeanita Kennedy, enrolled member of the Dine (Navajo) Tribe.

The panel will be facilitated by Annette Mennem, Minot State Native American Center director, Native American Cultural Club advisor, and enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated across the United States and is an official city and state holiday in many locations across the country. The panel hopes to spur the City of Minot to follow suit.

“I see it more and more every day that more cities and more states are recognizing it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” Lilley said. “For example, I saw that Washington, D.C. is recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day for the first time instead of Columbus Day, and I know Grand Forks recognizes it.”

For more information, visit the Facebook EVENT.

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Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 10/10/19   


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