West Valley College hosts two major events on campus to bring awareness, representation, and cultural learning regarding our Native and Indigenous populations.
MMIW+ | Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Come and learn about the importance of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman Awareness Day at the Campus Center explained by our own Erika Vargas. Enjoy free food, activities and healing through Dance Pow Wow presentation brought to us by the Indian Health Center.
Please contact Tania%20Pichardo if you require any accommodations or have any questions.
MMIW+ (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) occurred on Tuesday May 2, 2023. West Valley College collaborated with the Muwekma Tribe, Indian Health Center of Santa Clara County, and Mosaic for our annual MMIW+ Event. At this event Muwekma provided a land acknowledgment, the Santa Clara Indian Health Center performed a blessing and there were traditional Native dancers and performers. Mosaic provided a multimedia presentation on the history of Muwekma, students completed various native art projects, including putting their own red handprint on the event banner.
MMIW+ is a movement that advocates for the end of violence against Native women and Two Spirit individuals. The red handprint and/or red hand over the mouth symbolizes missing relatives whose voices have been silenced and the lack of visibility within media and law enforcement. Please see Indian Health Center for more information.
Unthanksgiving and National Day of Mourning
Monday, November 20 at 12:00 PM in the Campus Center
Unthanksgiving Day (also known as Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony) showcases the advocacy and social justice movement for Native Americans that gained most visibility in the 1960s, including the occupation of the island of Alcatraz.
Engage with Ohlone culture-bearers working to preserve and share rich and varied traditions as part of the Hummingbird Circle – An Ohlone Celebration.
On Monday, November 21, 2022 West College collaborated with our students to teach them about the concepts surrounding Unthanksgiving and The National Day of Mourning. This annual event provides culturally relevant presentations and activities for students, faculty, and the community. It sheds light on the history of both Unthanksgiving and the National Day of Mourning and provides counternarratives to the “traditional” Thanksgiving, while students, faculty, and community members share a meal together.
The National Day of Mourning is an annual protest in Plymouth since 1970. This event calls attention to the mass genocide, removal, and erasure of Native and Indigenous peoples and culture.