Native Arts 360's a.i.m. is to promote Indigenous art and culture year round so we collectively expand what it means to celebrate Indigenous peoples contributions beyond the month: acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of the original peoples as they deserve to be.
That said, this National Native American Heritage month has had a robust line up of events that brought the inter-tribal, inter-generational and community overall together. We're proud to look back on these beautiful collaborations and look forward to all the positively uplifting gatherings to plan through the next year!
Native Arts 360 "Thriving" Art Show
From November 1-30, in a continuum from Indigenous Peoples Day, beginning in October this exhibit brought together 3 artists who previously painted a massive mural in downtown Bellingham. Jason LaClair (Lummi/Nooksack), Savannah LeCornu (Tsimshian/Haida/Nez Perce) and KáaSháyee (Tlingit) brought their iconic and inspiring styles to a show that was intended to energize the Native community on the heals of much loss for the families due to the recent fentanyl crisis.
The show was able to be featured together with Indigenous fashion, design and music for a fully immersive experience at Cof& in downtown Bellingham. These cultural events are part of plan is to make these immersive Indigenous experiences more frequent in downtown and beyond.
First Annual IndigiQueer Fashion Show
On November 15, The Native American Student Union (NASU) from Western Washington University collaborated with Northwest Indian College and Native Arts 360 to bring Bellingham's, and perhaps Whatcom County's, very first IndigiQueer Fashion show proudly celebrating the Indigenous queer community through fashion and jewelry design. NASU students along with Mariah Dodd (Lummi), Indigenous Queen Designs, and Copper Canoe Woman showcased a stellar series of 15 designs that included regalia to a packed house. DJ Big Rez of Lummi MC'd alongside activist and model Naiyahnikai Gorman then spun an infectious set of Indigenous sounds including the Halluci Nation.
Bellingham which historically hasn't been particularly warm to the Native community now has Cof&, a cultural welcoming space created by a cherished Colombian family, who have made a cross cultural events space that makes everyone feel at home. One elder said, "everything here feels so good, this space feels so good." Oscar Quintero, who owns Cof&, and his family have been very intentional in creating just this kind of space.
The Fashion show took 2 months to plan and was received with so much enthusiasm. The organizers and designers were immediately discussing the plan for another show year and considering making it an annual events to feature emerging and established Indigenous designers. The plan would ultimately be to make it an incubator event for aspiring designers to get support as they potentially move into these industries. There was tremendous gratitude to all who came out to celebrate
Western Washington University had thoughtful calendar planned throughout Heritage month.
Our Time. Our Homelands. Native American Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration
The major kick off event for the month began on the evening of November 2 in Library Reading Room and featured an opening song by the Westshore Canoe Family, a film screening of Our Sacred Obligation by Children of the Setting Sun Productions. There was also a gallery display of works by Native American artists from the Western Gallery collection.
Land Acknowledgements & Land Grab Institutions Panel Discussion
Wednesday, November 8 During this lunch and learn, Western screened Children of the Setting Sun Production’s Land Acknowledgement video and engage in discussion with our student panel.
No Man's Land Film Festival
On November 8 WWU celebrated female-identifying and nonbinary individuals in the outdoors! Join ASWWU Outdoor Center and co-host Shifting Gears on November 8 for the 4th annual showing of No Man’s Land: Diversify our Outdoors. Fuel up for your winter adventures with this inspiring collection of fem-powered films. The show starts at 7pm in Arntzen Hall 100, and doors open at 6 pm. Come early to check out the booths from our local sponsors including the AIROW project and Shifting Gears! Stay after for a raffle drawing (raffle ticket included in event ticket price).
Indigenous Wellness Speaker Series featuring Naiyahnikai Gorman
On November 13 WWU NASU presented, Naiyahnikai Gorman (Dine & Cheyenne) is a community connector, social justice advocate, model, performer, and practitioner of Indigenous wellness and wellbeing. We welcome her to campus for a conversation on wellness, wellbeing, and health promotion in Native communities.
IndigiQueer Fashion Show
November 15, WWU NASU’s 2023 first Indigiqueer Fashion Show happened! The event was held at Cofy Colombian Coffee shop in Downtown Bellingham. Featured designers included: Copper Canoe Woman, Mariah Dodd, and DJ Big Rez spun Indigenous sounds. This event was in collaboration with WWU NAHM, LGBTQ+ Western, and Native Arts 360.
WWU Symphony Orchestra presents “Spirit Chief Names the Animal People”
On November 17 at the PAC Concert Hall Western Symphony Orchestra for Chickasaw composer Jarod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Spirit Chief Names the Animal People, based on a traditional Okanagan story of Coyote’s plotting to beat out the other animals for the best name. First Nations actor Sam Bob will be narrating the story, illustrated with live projections by Heather Dawn Sparks. Also on the evening’s program is Sensemayá by the Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas, and the monumental Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich.
The History of Native American Boarding Schools
On November 29, Theresa Sheldon (Tulalip), WWU Alum and Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, came back to WWU for a conversation on the history and impact of the Residential Boarding School experience for Native American children and their communities.
WWU Athletics Native American Heritage Night: Pregame Social
On November 30 NASU hosted a pregame community social featuring refreshments and a game of bingo for a chance to win prizes. Then walk over to Carver Gym to enjoy the game and a celebration of Lhaq’temish cultures and traditions.
WWU Women’s Basketball: Native American Heritage Night
Western Women’s Basketball Team played against Biola and celebrate Native American Heritage Night during half time. Free admission for all students with WWU ID.
These events will be occurring with greater frequency throughout the year in celebration of Indigenous art and culture as we continue to collaborate more broadly.