Portland State’s first-ever Indigenous Solidarity event will be held at the Native American Student and Community Center Monday, Oct. 8.
The event has been set up as a gathering and orientation for the indigenous student groups, faculty members and community affiliated with PSU.
“At the start of the academic year it is very difficult to get the ball rolling for student groups on campus, and this is the goal of our event,” said Cushman, NASCC programming coordinator.
The general mission of the NASCC is to create intercultural alliances and dialogue in the native community. The events on Monday are geared toward that commitment.
“With this day, we want to create a sense of home and belonging for the indigenous students and community on campus,” Cushman said.
While the event has a strong backing and sponsorship by Native American Student Services and the Diversity and Multicultural Student Services departments, student participation and community involvement are also helping to bring it together.
“Most of what we’re doing comes from student participation,” Cushman said. “The events we have done through the years have generally been made possible through grassroots community engagement.”
The Indigenous Solidarity event is a full day of orientation and events from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and includes tours of the NASCC and its impressive display of indigenous art, a meet-and-greet potluck, and an evening lecture and book signing by prominent Native American activist and writer Gyasi Ross.