Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Montclair unveils Land Acknowledgement and new academic programming, welcomes tribes as part of on-campus event

MSU_Indigenous-Peoples-Day-2022

Members of the Red Blanket Singers of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe perform a traditional dance at Montclair’s 2022 celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. (Photo by Mike Peters)

Montclair State University celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on October 10 with a special on-campus event that not only highlighted thriving Indigenous cultures, but also showcased the institution’s commitment to creating hands-on learning opportunities that make a difference in the world. 

Montclair welcomed the Red Blanket Singers of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe of New Jersey for a special performance as part of the early evening event, which also served as the formal unveiling of the University’s new Native American and Indigenous Studies minor and Montclair’s formal Land Acknowledgement.

A young person in blue ceremonial regalia holds feather fans before a seated outdoor audience
A student reads from notes at an outdoor podium as others stand behind them
Students from Montclair’s new course “Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies” read the Land Acknowledgement to begin the event, which also featured remarks from President Jonathan Koppell and recent alumna and Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape member Brianna Dagostino ’21.
A woman in red speaks at an outdoor podium against a backdrop of autumn foliage
Brianna Dagostino ’21 (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape) offers reflections on the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
A man in a blue shirt and a ball cap speaks at an outdoor podium
Department of Anthropology Chairperson and Native American and Indigenous Studies Co-Director Christopher Matthews welcomes the attendees.
Indigenous performers gather around a drum before an outdoor campus audience
A man in traditional attire speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event
Urie Ridgeway, emcee for the Red Blanket Singers.
A bearded man speaks at an outdoor podium
Montclair President Jonathan Koppell addresses the audience.

 

An Indigenous hoop dancer performs before an outdoor audience
Members of the Red Blanket Singers participate in traditional tribal dances.
An Indigenous dancer in bright pink regalia spins before an outdoor audience

To see more photos, go to the gallery. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.

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