Washington State University is commemorating its second annual Indigenous People’s Day in Pullman with cultural festivities including traditional dance and the set up of a tipi by Native American Programs.
Indigenous People’s Day is being celebrated system-wide Monday, Oct. 14. Events in Pullman kick off at 8:15 a.m. with tipi setup on the Todd Steps by WSU Native American Programs. Native Programs staff and students will pass out information and talk to passersby from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At noon, officials will welcome Jaissa Grunlose (Colville Tribes), the reigning Miss Pah-Loots-Puu who represents WSU’s powwow. Grunlose is a junior studying business administration. Rounddancing backed by the Waahpp Qaqun drum from the Nez Perce Tribe will begin immediately thereafter.
President Kirk Schulz signed a proclamation last fall declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day for all WSU campuses.
“Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers an opportunity to celebrate the thriving culture and value that Indigenous peoples add to our university,” reads the proclamation in part.
The Hillside Café – in collaboration with the Ku-ah-mah Native Student Association – will host an Indigenous Celebration featuring food from a variety of Native American cultures from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WSU Pullman is located on the ancestral homelands of the Palus people and on the ceded lands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe. Everyone is welcome to attend the Indigenous Peoples’ Day festivities and learn a little something about the local Tribes and the WSU Native community.
Scheduled events
- 8:15 a.m. – Tipi setup, Todd Steps
- 9 a.m. – Tabling on Todd Steps (til 3:30 p.m.) by WSU Native American Programs
- 11 a.m. – Indigenous Foods lunch at Hillside Café (served til 1:30 p.m.)
- Noon – Welcome from Miss Pah-Loots-Puu Jaissa Grunlose, Todd Steps
- 12:10 p.m. – Rounddancing (til 1 p.m.) on the Terrell Mall
- 3:30 p.m. – Tipi takedown
