UCSD's California Native American Day Celebration Committee promotes events to enhance the relationship between San Diego's tribal communities and UCSD students, staff, and faculty. All events are free and open to the public. (Note: Parking fees are required on weekdays.)

Friday, Sept. 26

Celebration kickoff
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Price Center East (map), The Loft

• This year's events kick off with an opening blessing by Stan Rodriquez and welcome remarks from Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. Mike Connolly Miskwish of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will give the keynote, discussing tribal work for environmental sustainability among the tribes in the San Diego region. For more information, e-mail ivelasco@ucsd.edu.

"On Sacred Ground: Environmental Sustainability on San Diego Reservations"
1:30 – 3 p.m., Price Center (map), Gallery A

• This workshop with Mike Connolly will highlight the Campo tribe's approach to environmental sustainability in wetlands restoration and energy generation, and the opportunities and challenges this poses for native sovereignty. For more information, e-mail chanintern@ucsd.edu.

Display: "People Need Plants: Plants Need People"

• The Red Wall, Price Center East (map), through Oct. 24

Monday, Oct. 13

Grave Injustice: UCSD Repatriation Teach-In
5–7 p.m., Student Services Center (map), Multi-purpose Room

• Learn about and discuss issues surrounding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act with:
  • Dr. Sherry Hutt, program manager with the National NAGPRA Program
  • Carole Goldberg, J.D., professor of law at UCLA and faculty chair of UCLA Law School's Native Nations Law and Policy Center
  • Louie Guassac, Sycuan consultant
  • Dr. Ross Frank, UCSD Department of Ethnic Studies and author of UCSD's NAGPRA Minority Report
• Moderated by Devon Lomayesva, executive director of the California Indian Legal Services and member of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. A reception will follow. For more information, e-mail nasa@ucsd.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Mini-grant application final deadline

• Grants of up to $1,000 are offered to provide funding to departments, programs, or student organizations for innovative educational activities related to Native American perspectives at UCSD. Projects must be completed by Dec. 13. See more information, or e-mail chanintern@ucsd.edu.

Friday, Oct. 17

Native American Film Festival
Noon – 6 p.m., Cross-Cultural Center (map)

• This mini-film festival will feature documentaries and short films chronicling native people's experience in the U.S. Hosted by Dr. Natchee Blu Barnd, who received his doctorate from UCSD's Ethnic Studies Department and wrote "U.S. Colonialism and Indigenous Geographies." Barnd currently teaches American Indian Studies at CSU, Sacramento. For more information, call (858) 534-9689, or e-mail cccenter@ucsd.edu. Films include:
  • Noon — "In the Light of Reverence" (72 mins): Filmmakers Christopher McLeod and Melinda Maynor document American culture's relationship to nature in 3 places considered sacred by native peoples: the Colorado Plateau in the Southwest, Mt. Shasta in California, and Devils Tower in Wyoming. Rich in minerals and timber and beloved by recreational users, these "holy lands" exert a spiritual gravity that pulls Native Americans into conflicts with mining companies, New Age practitioners, and rock climbers. Ironically, all sides see themselves as besieged.
  • 2 p.m. — "Doe Boy" (85 mins): Written and directed by Randy Redroad, this is the story of a young man of mixed heritage who encounters the complicated circumstances of his life, including his hemophilia.
  • 3:30 p.m. — "The Business of Fancy Dancing" (103 mins): Written and directed by Sherman Alexie, this film explores the disintegrating relationship of 2 best friends who have chosen different paths. Seymour and Aristotle graduated from high school as co-valedictorians and left the Spokane Indian Reservation for college. While Seymour becomes a world-famous gay Native American poet, Aristotle drops out of college to return to the reservation. After 6 years apart, they meet again when Seymour is called home for the funeral of a mutual friend. (Discussion to follow.)

Oct. 13-17 (tentative date)

California Native American Day high school writing workshop, essay contest

• As we walk in 2 worlds, we learn about the old and new ways. What does being healthy mean to you and your culture? How can Western and traditional medicine work together for healthy living? San Diego high school students participating in the California Native American Day high school essay contest are invited attend a writing workshop taught by UC San Diego graduate and undergraduate students at Viejas in Alpine. Essay contest entry deadline: Friday, Oct. 31.
  • Read the essay topics and contest guidelines.
  • Download the essay contest application.
  • For more information, contact a4aguilar@ucsd.edu.

Friday, Nov. 7

"Pathways to Life Experience From a Tribal Doctor (or What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?)"
6–8 p.m., Cross Cultural Center (map), Comunidad Room

• Dr. Dan Calac, medical director of Indian Health Council, Inc., is featured in this Diversity Speaker Series event. A reception will follow. For more information, e-mail cfierro@ucsd.edu.