Programs and Events
November is National Native American Heritage Month
LoDa ArtWalk: Native American Heritage Month
November 10 | 6 - 9 p.m. | Cathedral Square
“We are the land, and the land is mother to us all”:
Native Feminisms and Environmental Justice in the Work of Four Contemporary Diné Artists by Dr. Betsy Hawley, USA Art & Art History Department
Nov. 14 | 5:30 p.m. | Archaeology Museum
Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow
Hosted by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Nov. 23-24 6477 | 10 a.m. | 6477 Jack Springs Road,
Atmore, AL 36502
Did you know?
The annual proclamation of November as National American Indian Heritage Month recognizes
hundreds of different
Nations and approximately 250 languages, and celebrates the history, tradition, and
values of American Indians. It began as Native American Awareness Week, designated
by Congress in 1976, as a time to celebrate and recognize the great influence American
Indians have had upon the United States.
Throughout history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have been an integral part of the American character. Members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, celebrate their heritage in November with their annual Thanksgiving Powwow on their traditional grounds located approximately 50 miles north of the University of South Alabama. As a sovereign Nation, the Poarch Creek has a government-to-government relationship with the United States.
The State of Alabama Indian Affairs Commission recognizes the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, the Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama, the Star Clan of Muscogee Creeks, the Cher-O-Creek Intra Tribal Indians, the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, the Piqua Shawnee Tribe, and the United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation.
Student Spotlight
William "Billy" Bailey Jr. graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a Native American Studies minor. Billy is the first graduate of the University's Native American Studies program. He’s a proud member of the Poarch Band of the Creek Indians (PBCI) and works as a Tribal Historic Preservation Specialist to preserve their cultural heritage. He credits USA for its strong commitment of support and collaboration with PBCI and other Native Americans.
The University of South Alabama is a diverse and global community striving for inclusive excellence. The Cultural Awareness Collaborative at South, which includes students, faculty and staff created this calendar to build awareness and understanding of important observances and holidays of diverse campus groups.
Please share with us any widely recognized observances you would like to include on this calendar form. Your input is important. It will help ensure these observances are available as another resource for the enrichment of the campus and the greater Mobile community. All are welcome.