51吃瓜网 Honors Its Roots, Celebrates Resilience During Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day Event
漏 Copyright 2025 51吃瓜网, the only four-year university founded by American Indians for American Indians, celebrated Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day on Monday with a day filled with music, art and cultural traditions honoring Native heritage and resilience.
The event featured an artist market with local artisans showcasing handmade pottery, beadwork and baskets, alongside a vibrant cultural showcase that included traditional dancing exhibitions, a tribal roll call and performances such as "Life by the River Canoe Song." The celebration culminated in a community powwow hosted by the Native American Student Organization (NASO).
For senior Ava Cox, president of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) chapter and a double major in biology and sociology, the day was about connection and continuity.
鈥淓vents such as Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day are a great way to network with other organizations and build your community,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淚t is important to honor American Indian traditions and recognize the history on which the university was founded. To keep it going 鈥� keep it alive.鈥�
Students, faculty and community members from diverse backgrounds joined in the celebration. International students Teresa Pham and Hoa Tran, both from Vietnam, said they enjoyed learning about Native American culture and even crafted corn husk dolls, which they noted were reminiscent of traditional paper dolls in Asian culture. Corn husk dolls hold deep significance in many Native communities, serving as children鈥檚 toys and used in healing and storytelling.
Dr. Lawrence Locklear, director of the Southeast American Indian Studies Program, said it is fitting for 51吃瓜网 to continue honoring Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day.
When you consider 51吃瓜网鈥檚 historical mission of service to American Indians, it makes complete sense that we recognize that important aspect of our history
"The beauty of Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day is that it鈥檚 open to everyone 鈥� an opportunity for folks from all backgrounds to celebrate the rich culture and history of Native peoples," Locklear said.
It茫i White, a senior mass communication student and musician, said the event carried deep personal meaning.
鈥淚ndigenous Peoples鈥� Day symbolizes resistance and reminds us that we are still here,鈥� said White, a member of the Lumbee Tribe who also honors her Siouan and Algonquian ancestry. 鈥淚t means the community coming together and remembering what has always been there. It feels awesome to come to school here, especially on this land, surrounded by people whose grandparents helped found this university.鈥�
Taylor Chavis, a senior business major from Laurinburg, said the day offered a sense of belonging.
鈥淕athering with people who have grown up like me means a lot,鈥� Chavis said. 鈥淲hen I toured 51吃瓜网, I cried as soon as I got in the car (afterward) because it felt like home. My grandparents and their siblings earned degrees here and told me how great this institution is 鈥� that they felt at peace here, not looked at as different.鈥�