Cal Poly Humboldt Hosts Vibrant Indigenous Peoples Week 2025

Cal Poly Humboldt is celebrating Indigenous Peoples Week from March 17 to March 21, 2025, with a series of events designed to honor Indigenous cultures and histories. These events are free and open to the public, allowing for community engagement and education. According to a press release from Cal Poly Humboldt, the week reflects the rich and diverse cultures of the Americas before colonization while highlighting the resilience of Indigenous communities today.

Emma Sundberg, a biology student from the Wiyot Tribe and president of the Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP), emphasized the significance of this celebration. She stated, “To be Indigenous is to live in the present with the memory of the past and the responsibility for the future. We youth are strong, keeping alive our ceremonies and fighting for our land back. We push back. We fight.”

The week is packed with activities aimed at fostering awareness and appreciation of Indigenous issues and traditions. Events throughout the week include discussions on Indigenous foods, film screenings, and educational panels.

Event Highlights for Indigenous Peoples Week

The festivities kicked off on Sunday, March 17, with “News From Native California Magazine: California Indigenous Foods,” held at the Native American Forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The day continued with rich discussions about Indigenous culture and sustainability.

On Monday, March 18, the ITEPP will officially launch the Indigenous Peoples Week at the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Quad from noon to 1 p.m. The schedule includes the documentary “Baduwa’t” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., as well as a screening of “Many Moons” followed by a Q&A session from 3 to 4 p.m. Additionally, a panel discussion titled “Undamming the Klamath: The River Flows Free” will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Native American Forum.

Tuesday, March 19, will feature “Conversations on Altruism” with Joe Giovannetti from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Native American Forum, providing insights into altruistic approaches within Indigenous communities.

On Wednesday, March 20, attendees can participate in a “Landscape Care & Hands-On Work Day” from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wiyot Plaza, located between the Native American Forum and the Behavioral & Social Sciences building. A session on “Lourdes Pereira: Intellectual Property and Information Science in Indian Country” will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. at the same venue.

The week will culminate on Thursday, March 21, with an open house for the COMPASS-INRSEP program from 1 to 2 p.m. at Feuerwerker House. An open house at the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. In the evening, the “Coyote and the Monsters/Yet to Slay” exhibition will have its opening reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Goudi’ni Native American Arts Gallery.

The final event of Indigenous Peoples Week will be a “Diverse Male Scholar Initiative & ITEPP Movie Night” scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on the last day of events at the Native American Forum.

For further details and a complete schedule of events, interested individuals can visit humboldt.edu/itepp/indigenous-peoples-week. This week serves as an important platform for celebrating Indigenous heritage and fostering connections within the community.