Fall 2025 Events

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

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.

February 21, 2026

NAISO Powwow of Love – Save the Date

Upcoming Community Events

September 27-28 Annual Dance by the River Powwow –https://www.lansing.org/event/annual-dance-by-the-river-pow-wow/55245/

September 30 – Orange Shirt Day

Hosted by the Lansing Native Community and Allies

The event will be held at the Capital Lawn (Lansing, Michigan)

Capital Lawn from 10 AM – 8 PM

Healing Ceremony on West Stairs 12 PM

September 28 – 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 here

PAST EVENTS

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