BC Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
Thursday, November 14, 2024
November is Native American Heritage Month and the Native American Student Support & Success Program (NASSSP) at Bakersfield College is hosting a series of exciting events to celebrate. All students, staff, and community members are invited to attend the activities, which includes luncheons, art workshops, discussion panels, and more.
Johnny Nieto, Program Manager of NASSSP, is excited to host these activities for the BC community. “We want to emphasize that Native American Heritage Month is about recognition, education, and unity,” he says, “We are excited for others to join us, to learn about our heritage, and to celebrate the strength and endurance of Native cultures. Everyone is welcome to attend! We believe that a broad, inclusive audience enriches these gatherings!”
The festivities started early in the month with a NASSSP field trip to UC Berkeley and continued with a ‘Rock Your Mocs’ luncheon where attendees were encouraged to wear moccasins while enjoying a meal together. As Native American Heritage Month continues, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, including some art-themed events – ‘Bead the Stress Away’ and a medicine bag workshop. Both events celebrate specific ancestral art forms while emphasizing the beauty and significance of those traditions.
One of the highlights of the month will be the Native Scholars Campus Stories, which will bring together a distinguished panel of Indigenous speakers to discuss several topics including cultural identity, resilience, and the importance of community. “During the panel discussions, we’ll talk about our experiences as Native Americans in higher education and the challenges we face on and off campus,” says Nieto, “We hope that sharing our perspectives will create a deeper understanding and inspire conversations about inclusion and representation on campus.” The month will conclude with a NASSSP Luncheon on November 26th in the CSS Building.
We hope that you can join us for these exciting events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. The goal is to provide a space for all to gather as a community and learn about Indigenous cultures. “We want to emphasize that Native American Heritage Month is about recognition, education, and unity,” says Johnny Nieto, “we’re excited for others to join us, to learn about our heritage, and to celebrate the strength and endurance of Native cultures.”
Thank you NASSSP for organizing these events. For more information about the upcoming events, please visit the BC online events calendar.
