Fall 2025 Events

For more information about upcoming events on this list, email AIIS GA Orville Cayaditto at cayaditt@msu.edu

2025 NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

NOVEMBER EVENTS

November 2 – Nokomis Ghost Supper

2pm – 5pm

Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center (5153 Marsh Rd, Okemos, MI 48864)

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November 5 – Voices on Campus Lecture

Matthew Beil (Citizen Potawatomi), AIIS Pre-Doctoral Fellow

12:00 – 1:30pm

Multicultural Center, Room 1020 (Multipurpose room B)

Lunch provided, RSVP requested for lunch (click here)

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November 6 – Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program (IYEP) Ghost Supper

5:50pm

Fenner Nature Center (2020 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910)

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November 5 – Native Feast @ Brody Hall

4:30pm – 9pm

Brody Dining Hall

NAISO and allies meet @ 6pm in back conference room

More info here

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November 18 – Bryan Newland Lecture

Presentation for the Kelley Institute Lecture Series

5:30pm

MSU School of Law

November 19 — Echoes of the Earth: Native American Drumming Traditions

5pm – 7pm

WKAR Studio’s, Room 145, Communication Arts & Sciences Building

Join Daniel Jackson, proud member of Bear Clan and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, as he shares the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Native American drums. Through stories and insights, Daniel will explore how drums connect communities to tradition, ceremony, and identity

Following the conversation, enjoy a tasting of traditional Anishinaabe cuisine prepared by Chef Sam Anglin, celebrating the rich flavors and heritage of Native foodways.

Registration Required (click here)

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November 19 – Anishinaabe Planetarium Show

5:30pm (Doors Open) and 5:45pm (Show Begins)

MSU Planetarium (755 Science Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824)

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) invites folks to:

Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge highlights Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons in relation to contemporary insights about environmental changes.

Teachings shared by Native Skywatchers Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, and Dr. Annette S. Lee are narrated by Aarin Dokum with Anishinaabemowin translations by Alphonse Pitawanakwat set to art by Elizabeth LaPensée.

November 21 – Indigenous Studies Working Group
“Doing Good Work in the Face of DEI Rollbacks” a conversation led by AIIS Director, Dr. Kristin Arola

12:30pm – 1:30pm

AIIS Office – Owen Hall 103W

November 22 – Hand Drum Building Workshop

2 sessions: 8am – Noon and 1 – 5pm

The Nokomis Cultural Center (5153 Marsh Rd, Okemos, MI 48864)

Led by Lee Smith and sponsored by the Native American Institute & Nokomis

Registration required (click here)

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FUTURE DATES

February 17, 2026 – Tristan Ahtone Lecture, “Land-Grab Universities”

4pm, more info forthcoming

February 21, 2026
NAISO Powwow of Love – Save the Date

Community Events

Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation

Special Exhibition held until April 5, 2026

Located at the Detroit Institute of Arts (5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202)

See more information he

PAST EVENTS

Fall 2025

October 8
Esther Belin, Poetry Reading and Book Signing
RCAH Theater reading, Reception/Book Signing LookOutGallery, 7 pm

October 10 – Indigenous Spartans Alumni Kickoff

Celebration at Nokomis Cultural Learning Center

7pm or immediately following MSU Homecoming Parade

October 11 – NAISO + Indigenous Spartans Alumni Tailgate

Snyder-Phillips Greens

8am – Gametime

October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day

7:30am Sunrise Ceremony at the Rock

Breakfast immediately following

*for those interested in Detroit powwow, rides available following breakfast

October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day

Detroit Powwow

Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit MI

Grand Entry – Noon

October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day

Beadwork & Belonging – 2-4pm Erickson Hall, Room 133F

Celebrate your Spartan pride through the art of beadwork! This workshop combines creativity and community as participants learn to design and create their own beadwork piece featuring the iconic Spartan “S.” Guided by Mary Lee, a member of the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center, and Emily Sorroche, a member of EAGLE, participating will explore the cultural signifance of beadwork, build community while learning a new skill, and create a keepsake that showcases your Spartan spirit. Whether you are new to beadwork or an experiences crafter this space will provide a meaningful way to connect with fellow Spartans. All materials provided. (**Homemade fry bread by Mary Lee provided)

October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day

Celebration @ the State Capitol – 4-7pm

Sponsored by the Anishinaabe Friendship Center

October 17 – Indigenous Studies Working Group

AIIS Offices – Owen Hall, West Wing, 103W – 12:30-1:30

Let’s Collaborate: A discussion about potential shared priorities, projects, and initiatives.
Join us for a conversation with the Native American Institute’s Tribal Engagement and Research Coordinator, Dr. Kehli Henry. Kehli will talk about her new role and responsibilities and ask for discussion and feedback on a few initiatives NAI is hoping to collaborate on.

October 27 – Michigan Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum.
KEYNOTE LUNCH by Jeff Davis, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg in Grand Rapids and Chair of the firm’s Native American Law and Policy Practice Group from 12:15 – 1:15 pm in the Castle Board Room. Lunch will be provided. Please register at this link to attend: https://bit.ly/MIStateTribalFedForum2025

Spring 2025

January 24
Indigenous Studies Working Group: “Strengths-Based Research to Support Native Health”
Lunch and conversation led by Dr. Rachel Wilbur

January 23
Lecture: “From Historical Trauma to Survivance: The Role of Agency in Combatting the Health Effects of Colonial Subjugation”
Lecture from Dr. Rachel Wilbur (descendant Tolowa and Chetco) from Washington State University’s Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH)

Sunday, March 16 – AIIS Film Screening (Killers of the Flower Moon) NAISO Room (Hubbard Hall Room G33) @ 1PM – 5PM

Sunday, March 30 – AIIS Film Screening (Fancy Dance) Multicultural Cetner (Multipurpose Room A) @ 1PM – 4PM

Friday, April 4 – AIIS Voices on Campus Presenter – Cameron Roman (AIIS Pre-Doctoral Fellow)

Saturday, April 5 – AIIS Symposium Multicultural Center @ 11am-4pm

2024 Native American Heritage Month

November 3 – Ghost Supper

Sponsored by Nokomis Center and Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program

November 6 – MSU Culinary Services celebrates with a Native Feast featuring traditional Indigenous foods

Sponsored by Office of Culture, Access and Belonging and the Office of Cultural & Academic Transitions

November 7 – Indigenous Hip Hop Talk with Frank Waln

Presenter: Frank Whaln (Sicangu Lakota)
Sponsored by Native American Institute and MSU Museum

November 8 – Cultivating Tradition with the 4 Sisters Garden

Presenter: Mikayla Thompson (Descendant of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma)
Sponsored by Office of Culture, Access, and Belonging

November 8 – Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagewen: Potawatomi Star Knowledge

Presenter: Dr. Blaire Morseau (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians)
Sponsored by American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Religious Studies, Digital Humanities, and Abrams Planetarium

November 10 – Environmental Stewardship Workday – Invasive Buckthorn Removal

Sponsored by Allen Neighborhood Center and Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program

November 13 – Holly Bird Presentation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP)

Presenter: Holly Bird (Navajo)
Sponsored by Indigenous Law and Policy Center

November 15 – Making MSU More Responsive to Native, Students, Faculty, and Staff

Presenter: Dr. Kristin Arola (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians decendant)
Sponsored by American Indian and Indigenous Studies

November 16 – Crafting with the Aunties

Location: Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center (5153 Marsh Rd, Okemos MI)

November 19 – Fireside Chat with Mary Smith: First Native American President of the American Bar Association (ABA)

Presenter: Mary Smith (Cherokee Nation)
Sponsored by Indigenous Law and Policy Center

November 19 – Beading with the Profs

With: Ellie Michell and Blaire Morseau
Sponsored by Indigenous Law and Policy Center

Supporting Programs for Native American Heritage Month 2024

Departments and Community Partners

Campus Allies and Other Departments

2023-2024

April 10, 2024 – Voices on Campus: Angie Sanchez.

April 12, 2024 – Reciprocal Research: A Guidebook for Centering Community in Partnership with Indigenous Nations.Led by Emily Proctor and Ellie Mitchell.

April 15, 2024 – The Crisis in Gaza: A Conversation with Mouin Rabbani

April 20, 2024 – Braiding Sweetgrass with Robin Wall Kimmerer