Throughout November, the Vanderbilt community celebrated Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month — which commemorates diverse Indigenous cultures and traditions while acknowledging the historical challenges they have faced and honoring their resilience — through programming held by the Indigenous Scholars Organization. The events were meant to amplify Indigenous stories, engage with cultural practices and encourage campus engagement with current issues affecting Native and Indigenous communities.
ISO is the only cultural organization at Vanderbilt that focuses on students of all Indigenous backgrounds. The events they organize during NAIHM are meant to bring together students of various Indigenous identities and members of the Vanderbilt community.
ISO hosted a NAIHM kickoff mixer Nov. 6 where students were invited to learn and share about Indigenous culture and identity while enjoying free food.
ISO also partnered with Residential Colleges to host a basket weaving workshop Nov. 19 in Stambaugh House. Students and faculty were taught how to weave baskets by hand, a traditional art practiced by Indigenous communities around the world.
Jessica Oster, faculty head of house at Stambaugh and earth and environmental sciences professor, said Stambaugh collaborated with ISO for the workshop as part of an effort by Residential Colleges to highlight major holidays and heritage months. In a message to The Hustler, Oster said it is important to partner with multicultural student organizations to create meaningful opportunities to celebrate culture on campus.
“I hope that this gives people an opportunity to learn something that they might not know, and if there’s a holiday or heritage month they do celebrate at home, I hope these events make them feel at home here on campus,” Oster said.
First-year Elizabeth Wing said she appreciated how the event gave her the opportunity to come together with other students and engage in an activity meaningful to her Indigenous heritage.
“I’ve never done basket weaving before. I really enjoy[ed] being able to do it in person because all the cultural activities that I’ve learned to do, I’ve had to teach myself, like through YouTube or by really seeking out help,” Wing said.
Senior Keanani Afu, vice president of ISO, said that while she believes NAIHM programming throughout November was successful and that faculty support ISO, she is concerned that the university does not do enough to support Indigenous students.
“I feel as though Vanderbilt itself doesn’t do that much, but the professors here do a lot. I love to praise the faculty, but I don’t really feel that the school does much for Indigenous students,” Afu said.
Afu said she hopes this month’s programming will leave students with a deeper understanding, appreciation and awareness for Native American and Indigenous culture.
“What I hope that people take away from our programming is that Native Americans and Indigenous people, they’re here. It’s not some ancient civilization. We’re still here, we’re still present,” Afu said.
