Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to honor and celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American communities. We are excited to to present this Cultural Mosaic which brings together college-focused and community activities that support culturally responsive teaching and learning.
We hope you will join us in celebrating Native American culture, history, and heritage.
Discover the Native lands on which ACC RESIDES
Beth Richter, GIS Intern with ACC Facilities and Construction Departments
ACC Geographic Information Systems Department
In our work initiated last year (2021) during Native American Heritage Month we began planning and outreach to our ACC Geographic Information Systems (GIS) department about creating maps of indigenous lands on which ACC campuses are built. In a follow-up conversation this fall we were connected with Beth Richter who works as an intern with the ACC Facilities and Construction Department. Beth developed this Map of Native Lands & ACC that we can now share in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
ACC District Land Acknowledgement
Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez, AVC TLED
Researched and Developed after the Purpose and Belonging Celebration of Native American Heritage Month 2021.
Native American culture is born of the land, and we gratefully acknowledge that Austin Community College occupies the Indigenous ancestral homelands of the Coahuiltecan, Jumanos, Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Kiikaapoi, Mascogo, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), Sana and Tonkawa, as well as all other vibrant Native communities who communed with this land or make their home here today. The college resides on land ceded in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
ACC EVENTS
Austin Community College employees, students, and community are invited to attend.
"RESERVATION DOGS" - SCREENING & DISCUSSION
Join us for an event that celebrates indigenous culture, humor, and storytelling. Attend a screening and engaging discussion of the hit comedy series, "Reservation Dogs."
The event will feature guest speakers Dr. Mark Cunningham and Skye Howell, a Partner at Full Humanity Consulting. Skye, hailing from the Potawatomi and Ottawa tribal nations, curates spaces for racial healing and restoration. She's also a Board member for Great Promise for American Indians.
After the screening, share pizza and cookies while building connections and celebrating the diversity of our community.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, November 8th
Time: 3:30pm-6:00pm
Location: ACC Rio Grande Campus; 1212 Rio Grande Street, Austin, Texas 78701; Building 1000 Room 1103 - Multipurpose Room
Community EVENTS
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
AT AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Dr. Mario Garza and the Aztec Dance Company - Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli will share about Native Americans and Tribes around the central United States. Dr. Garza, an elder of the Miakan/Garzas Band of the Coahuiltecan, a state-legislature-recognized tribe of Texas, will discuss eye-opening facts about Native innovations and ancient contributions.
Coloring activities and snacks will also be provided in this afternoon of discovery and learning!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 12th
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Austin Public Library Menchaca Road Branch; 5500 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78745
MOVIE NIGHT HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE: SMOKE SIGNALS
AT AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Attend a screening of Smoke Signals (1998) in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Smoke Signals was the first feature film written, directed, and produced by Native Americans. The film won the Filmmaker’s Trophy for director Chris Eyre, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Nations, and the Audience Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. The film was also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, November 15th
Time: 6:00pm-7:45pm
Location: Austin Public Library Milwood Branch; 12500 Amherst Drive, Austin, Texas 78727
THE AUSTIN POWWOW AND AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
FEATURING NATIVE AMERICAN DANCERS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, AND CRAFTSMEN
The Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival is a family-friendly event presented by Great Promise for American Indians, a local Austin nonprofit organization.
For over 25 years, this unique Austin event has featured hundreds of Native American dancers, singers, musicians, artists, and craftsmen. Friends, food, art, and culture are enjoyed throughout the day. The songs and dances you will experience are not only based on ancient traditions but are also living cultural expressions of creativity and innovation.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 18th
Time: 9:00am-9:00pm
Location: Travis County Exposition Center; 7311 Decker Lane, Austin, Texas 78724
Price: $7 online; $10 cash day of event