October 8 — Esther Belin, Poetry Reading and Book Signing

RCAH Theater reading, reception/book signing, LookOutGallery

October 10 — Indigenous Spartans Alumni Kickoff

Celebration at Nokomis Cultural Learning Center

Immediately following MSU Homecoming Parade

October 11 — NAISO + Indigenous Spartans Alumni Tailgate

Snyder-Phillips Greens

October 13 — Indigenous People’s Day

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

October 13 — Indigenous People’s Day

Beadwork & Belonging — 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 (Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center) and Emily Sorroche (EAGLE), participants will explore the cultural significance 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 experienced 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

Sponsored by the Anishinaabe Friendship Center

October 17 — Indigenous Studies Working Group

AIIS Offices — Owen Hall, West Wing, 103W

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. Lunch will be provided.

Please register at: https://bit.ly/MIStateTribalFedForum2025

November 2 — Nokomis Ghost Supper

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

November 5 — Voices on Campus Lecture

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

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

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

November 5 — Native Feast @ Brody Hall

Brody Dining Hall

NAISO and allies meet in back conference room

More info here

November 18 — Bryan Newland Lecture

Presentation for the Kelley Institute Lecture Series

MSU School of Law

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

WKAR Studios, 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.

November 19 — Anishinaabe Planetarium Show

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

AIIS Office — Owen Hall 103W

November 22 — Hand Drum Building Workshop

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

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

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)

Sunday, March 30 — AIIS Film Screening (Fancy Dance)

Multicultural Center (Multipurpose Room A)

Friday, April 4 — AIIS Voices on Campus

Presenter — Cameron Roman (AIIS Pre-Doctoral Fellow)

Saturday, April 5 — AIIS Symposium

Multicultural Center

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 Waln (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 descendant)
• 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