2018 Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month

Free movie: Smoke Signals Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2-4 p.m. Rasmuson Hall, Room 108

Smoke Signals is a humorous yet serious story about Victor, a young man who Director Chris Eyre describes as "trying to forgive his father." The movie gives us a glimpse into the contemporary Native American world, and is created by an almost exclusively Native American cast. Free popcorn and snacks for students.

Alaska Native Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium Friday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Rasmuson Hall, Room 101

The Alaska Native Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium is now in its sixth year. Undergraduate UAA students will present current research on various topics covered in their Alaska Native Studies courses.

William Schneider presents The Tanana Chiefs: Native Rights and Western Law Wednesday, Nov. 14, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

The Tanana Chiefs: Native Rights and Western Law chronicles the efforts by Alaska Native people to gain recognition for rights under Western law and the struggles to negotiate government-to-government relationships with the federal government. It contains the first full transcript of the historic meeting held in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1915 as well as essays that connect that first gathering with efforts of the Tanana Chiefs Conference, to meet and fight for Alaska Native rights, that continue to this day.

William Schneider is Professor Emeritus Alaska and Polar Regions Rasmuson Library at UAF. Since 1972, he has worked with Alaska Native elders to preserve traditional oral stories and history through Project Jukebox, the digital branch of the UAF Oral History Program.

Craft: Beading with Brittany Friday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Rasmuson Hall, Room 108

Christmas is around the corner. Want to make some nice gifts? Come to Rasmuson Hall and bead with the Cama'i Room Indigenous Rural Leader, Brittany.

Traditional Tales for Modern Children Friday, Nov. 16, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

Children's book authors Barbara Jacko Atwater and Ethan J. Atwater (How the Raven Got His Crooked Nose), Phyllis Adams (Gingerbread Moose and Alaska Boots for Chelsea) and Cindy Baldwin (Sarah's Days) talk about the Alaska Native traditions they share through writing modern children's stories. Topics will range from who "owns" a story, to bridging urban-rural and generational divides, to working with illustrators and publishers.

Barbara Jacko Atwater was raised in the village of Pedro Bay in Southwest Alaska. A retired teacher, she has worked with her son Ethan to share the stories passed on to her by her great-uncle, respected Dena'ina elder Walter Johnson.

Phyllis Adams was born in Fairbanks and raised in Nenana. A retired Anchorage schoolteacher, her first stories were created for her grandchildren, to share traditional values adapted to contemporary settings.

Cindy Baldwin grew up in the Athabascan region of Alaska, with Yup'ik, Aleut, German and Russian ancestry. Her children's picture book is a cautionary tale about enjoying nature within limits.

This event is sponsored by the UAA Campus Bookstore and the Alaska Center for the Book. There is free parking at UAA on Fridays.

Giving Thanks Dance Festival and Potluck Friday, Nov. 16, 5-8 p.m. Lucy Cuddy Hall

UAA students, UAA faculty and staff, and community members are welcome at this annual event featuring food and dancing.

RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World Wednesday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Rasmuson Hall, Room 110

The documentary RUMBLE brings to light a profound and missing chapter in the history of American music-the Indigenous influence. Featuring music icons Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Randy Castillo and Taboo. RUMBLE shows how these pioneering Native musicians helped shape the soundtrack of our lives. Free admission, snacks, beverages and parking. Discussion to follow after the film.

Alaska Native Values Discussion Thursday, Nov. 29, 1-2:30 p.m. Rasmuson Hall, Room 108

Join Sheila Randazzo in Native Student Services as she facilitates a discussion on Alaska Native resiliency. Sheila Randazzo is Inupiaq. Her Seetomona family is from Shishmaref, Alaska. Sheila has worked in social services for many years. She has adopted Alaska Native values as an important part of her life. She incorporates them in her work with Alaska Native people.

November Archive