Native American Educational and Cultural Center Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life

Native American Heritage Month 2025


This November 2025, the NAECC is excited to celebrate Native American Heritage Month to recognize, honor, and showcase Indigenous Peoples! All events are free, open to the entire campus community, and some require pre-registration. Please contact the NAECC by phone at 765-494-4540 or email Tiffany Lechuga at tcusterl@purdue.edu if you have any questions.

 

"Reflections on the Sloan Experience and the Path from Scholar to Faculty" presented by Dr. Kinsey Skillen

Tuesday, November 4 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm | NAECC

Dr. Kinsey Skillen will share his educational journey from his bachelors to dissertation, highlight his research and demonstrate how his Purdue degrees opened up career and research opportunities.

Dr. Skillen (Assiniboine Sioux) is currently Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering with the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University in 2015, his M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 2017 and his Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 2020.

 

LEAD Lunch and Learn Series: Leadership is Creating Impact

Wednesday, November 5 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm | NAECC

The Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Program will host the fall Lunch and Learn series focusing on leadership. This session hosted at the NAECC will center on “Leadership is Creating Impact.” Lunch will be served.

This event is hosted at the NAECC and sponsored by the Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Department.

 

Fall Lunch Book Discussion - "The Mighty Red" by Louise Erdrich

Thursday, November 6 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm | Purdue NAECC

Join us for this book discussion and lunch featuring “The Mighty Red” by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota). “In this stunning novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich tells a story of love, natural forces, spiritual yearnings, and the tragic impact of uncontrollable circumstances on ordinary people’s lives.”- Birchbark Books. 

This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies.

 

Honoring Native American Veterans Film Screening and Discussion

Tuesday, November 11 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | NAECC

On Veterans’ Day, the NAECC will host a film screening and discussion to honor the contributions of Native American veterans. Hear the stories of persistence and how their identity contributed to the survival of Native American men and women serving in the military.

This event is held in collaboration with the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, College of Liberal Arts.

 

Rock Your Mocs at Purdue

Wednesday, November 12 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm | NAECC

This national social media movement will be hosted at the Purdue NAECC to educate the campus community on Native American traditional footwear.

 

Crafting with CARE: Holiday Ornaments

Thursday, November 13 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm | NAECC

“Craft” your way through this self-care session and learn about the campus resources available through Purdue CARE. Event will focus on holiday ornaments.

This event is held in collaboration with Purdue CARE. 

 

Fall NAECC Road Trip to the Eiteljorg Museum

Saturday, November 15 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Indianapolis, IN

Educational road trip to explore the rich history and traditions of Native Americans at the Eiteljorg Museum located in downtown Indianapolis. This trip will include a guided tour of the Museum, meet with Museum staff, and enjoy lunch in the Museum cafe. Transportation and lunch will be included. 

 

Spilling the TEA - Giving Thanks for "Braiding Sweetgrass"

Tuesday, November 18 | 5:00 – 6:00 pm | NAECC

Fall engagement series sharing Indigenous stories and discussion on selected topic and featuring traditional Indigenous tea. This session centers on the concept of Indigenous reciprocity and how gratitude is inter-woven throughout the book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants” written by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book was selected for the 2025-26 Big Reads Program with the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts.

 

Indigenous Artist Speaker Series featuring David Martin

Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC

The NAECC fall artist-in-residence speaker series will showcase Indigenous artists who will educate the campus community by sharing their artistry, inspiration, and personal stories. Pokagon Potawatomi Artist David Martin will share his contemporary painting and pencil work and his motivation and strong connection to music and traditional powwow dancing.

This event is held in collaboration with the Eiteljorg Museum.

 

NAECC Fall VIRTUAL Book Discussion - "The Mighty Red" by Louise Erdrich

Wednesday, November 19 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST | Virtual Event

The fall semester VIRTUAL book discussion featuring “The Mighty Red” by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota). “In this stunning novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich tells a story of love, natural forces, spiritual yearnings, and the tragic impact of uncontrollable circumstances on ordinary people’s lives.”- Birchbark Books. 

This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Global.

 

Book Launch of "Indigenous Voices of Girls and Women in Educational Spaces"

Thursday, November 20 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC

Celebrating the book release of “Indigenous Voices of Girls and Women in Educational Spaces,” edited by Dr. Stephanie Masta, faculty in the College of Education, with contributions by Janelle Cronin and Ramona Dwyer, Purdue graduate students. Authors will share their selected readings followed by reception.

This event is held in collaboration with College of Education and Purdue Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) Program.

 

NAECC and AAARCC Friendsgiving

Monday, November 24 | 12:00 – 1:30 pm | NAECC

Annual holiday dinner celebration featuring the AAARCC and NAECC communities. Event open to all Boilermakers and first come, first serve.

This event is held in collaboration with the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC).

 

Special thanks to event co-sponsors throughout the month:

Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center; College of Education; Libraries and School of Information Studies; Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, College of Liberal Arts; Purdue Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE); Purdue Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) Program; Purdue Global; Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Department; and the Eiteljorg Museum

Last modified: December 3, 2025

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