UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State campus life is set to host a robust series of educational, cultural, and community-focused events throughout October 2025 to officially recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed on Monday, October 13. Various student groups, academic departments, and the Office of Student Affairs have collaborated to curate programming aimed at honoring the heritage, resistance, and contemporary vitality of Indigenous communities.
The decision to dedicate an entire month to this recognition underscores the University’s growing commitment to acknowledging the land on which its campuses reside and promoting a deeper understanding of Native American history and culture, moving beyond the single-day observation.
A Week of Action: October 13-17
The core programming will center around the week of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The events are designed to be accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and the wider community, fostering an environment of learning and reconciliation.
On the day itself, Monday, October 13, 2025, the Indigenous Peoples’ Student Association (IPSA), alongside the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, will host a Sunrise Ceremony and Land Acknowledgement at the Old Main Lawn at dawn. This solemn yet welcoming event will be followed by a community breakfast and an educational session detailing Penn State’s relationship with the land of the Haudenosaunee and Lenape peoples.
Later that evening, the annual Keynote Lecture on Decolonization will take place at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. This year’s speaker, Dr. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, an award-winning Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg writer and scholar, will discuss the intersections of Indigenous feminism, climate justice, and sovereignty.
Cultural Workshops and Academic Focus
Throughout the middle weeks of the month, the University will offer hands-on opportunities for engagement:
- Traditional Storytelling Workshop: Hosted by the Department of English and the Center for American Indian Culture and Research (CAICR), this session will explore the power and structure of oral traditions in transmitting knowledge and history. Participants will learn techniques used in historical narratives and contemporary Indigenous literature.
- The Moccasin Project: A collaborative art installation led by the College of Arts and Architecture, inviting the community to contribute to a collective memorial art piece honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). The project aims to raise awareness about the systemic violence faced by these communities.
- Film Screening & Discussion: The campus will screen the documentary, The Condor and the Eagle, which highlights four Indigenous environmental leaders fighting to protect their territories from resource extraction. The screening will be followed by a faculty-led discussion on treaty rights and environmental policy.
Advancing Commitment to Indigenous Scholars
Beyond the public events, the October programming serves to highlight new university initiatives aimed at supporting Indigenous students and scholars. The Graduate School announced a new fellowship program focused on supporting research that benefits tribal nations and Indigenous communities in the Northeast region.
“Our Indigenous students and faculty bring invaluable perspectives that enrich our entire institution,” said Dr. Alma Rodriguez, Vice President for Student Affairs. “By expanding our recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day into a month-long commitment, we are taking tangible steps to ensure their voices are heard and their histories are integral to the Penn State narrative. We encourage everyone to attend, listen, and learn.”
The full calendar of events, including registration links and specific locations, is available on the Penn State events website and through the Indigenous Peoples’ Student Association (IPSA) social media channels.
Related Topics: Indigenous Studies, Campus Life, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, History, Cultural Events, Penn State.
