In 1991, under the George H. W. Bush administration, National American Indian Heritage Month was established, designating November as the month in which the country would “celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.”
This year, the University of Utah will carry on its efforts to commemorate and laud the many contributions of Indigenous peoples throughout the state and the nation.
“We continue to work with our campus and community collaborative partners to really elevate Native Heritage Month here in the Salt Lake Valley and that continues to be one of our biggest goals,” said Tashina Barber, program manager, Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement at the U.
Along with numerous scheduled cultural events, one of the highlights of the month-long period will be the reintroduction of the Indigenous Walking Tour app/map.
Initially launched in 2023, the app was developed under the supervision of Dr. Cynthia Benally from the Department of Education, Culture and Society, in partnership with Jessica Chaplain from the Department of Communication, and Joaquín Lopez-Huertas, doctoral candidate in the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning.
The Indigenous Walking Tour invites people to see and experience the university through an Indigenous lens that reveals relationships between people, place and story, explained Lopez-Heurtas.
“Each stop along the tour highlights a different aspect of Indigenous presence on campus. For example, at the Union Building, visitors can learn about the eight federally recognized Tribal Nations in Utah or see the Land Acknowledgment plates that students helped place around campus,” he said.“We also highlight the Union’s importance as the host site for the annual university Pow Wow, which has become a vibrant celebration of Indigenous life and culture,” Lopez-Heurtas continued.
Through these stories, visitors are encouraged to understand the campus as a living Indigenous space that’s shaped by ongoing relationships and histories.
“The unveiling of the Indigenous Walking Tour affirms our deep connection to people and place,” said Samantha Eldridge, director, Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement in the Department of Student Development & Community. “By featuring the tour on our campus maps, we acknowledge the Native peoples whose history and presence continue to shape our campus and community.”
So far, more than 300 participants, including students from different majors and visiting groups from outside the university, have experienced the tour. The goal is to continue expanding so more people can learn about and engage with the Indigenous presence on campus.
Ultimately, the vision is for the tour to become an essential educational resource integrated into university life—from official campus tours to websites and classroom curricula—to serve as a living project that continues to grow with the community.
“As Indigenous Peoples, we continue to adapt and respond to ever-changing challenges. Each experience we face carries lessons not only for ourselves but for all communities,” said Lopez-Heurtas. “Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the past, present and future of Indigenous life. To celebrate our endurance, knowledge and desire for better futures.”
The Native American Heritage Month planning committee is responsible for arranging events in coordination and collaboration with campus and community partners. Click here for a list of planned events hosted during the month of November.