Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Each November, National Native American Heritage Month invites us to honor the enduring cultural values, knowledge systems, and resilience of Native American and Alaska Native peoples. In the South Sound, Tribal Nations are trusted community leaders whose contributions move our region closer to becoming a place where everyone thrives.

From UW Tacoma’s founding, our story has been intertwined with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and surrounding tribal communities, from which many tribal alumni have studied at our campus and gone on to make significant contributions to our region and state.

We are thankful to learn and work on Puyallup land, and our ongoing partnership with the Puyallup Tribe shapes our identity as a university rooted in place and relationship. Through this collaboration, we're creating a campus where all students can learn from Indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives, enriching every student's educational experience.

Join us this month for meaningful opportunities to learn and connect:

• 2025 Native & Indigenous Higher Education Symposium — Register for the 2025 Native & Indigenous Higher Education Symposium. This year’s theme, ləƛ’ax̌ʷil gʷəl lədᶻixʷqsil (“To Grow and Lead”), highlights the voices and achievements of Native and Indigenous scholars, students and community leaders who are building transformative futures.
   
• "This is Native Land" at the Washington State History Museum — Visit This is Native Land at the Washington State History Museum. Co-curated by UW Tacoma faculty member Dr. Danica Miller, this new permanent installation considers the South Sound’s history and future through the lens of Indigenous sovereignty, identity and story.
   
• Office of Indigenous Engagement — Discover year-round programming, support services, and cultural resources designed to foster connection and student success.
   
• Cedar Circle – Connect with this student-led organization that creates a supportive and community space for Native and Indigenous students while welcoming all. The Cedar Circle hosts monthly lunches and community-building activities such as chill beading, which can be reviewed by visiting the activity calendar in the syayəʔadiʔ (Family Room).

As we mark this important month, we both celebrate the progress we've made and reaffirm the ongoing work of partnership and growing together — not just in November, but every day of the year.