October 11, 2022

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Montclair unveils Land Acknowledgement and new academic programming, welcomes tribes as part of on-campus event

Montclair State University celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on October 10 with a special on-campus event that not only highlighted thriving Indigenous cultures, but also showcased the institution’s commitment to creating hands-on learning opportunities that make a difference in the world.

Montclair welcomed the Red Blanket Singers of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe of New Jersey for a special performance as part of the early evening event, which also served as the formal unveiling of the University’s new Native American and Indigenous Studies minor and Montclair’s formal Land Acknowledgement.

woman in blue shirt in front of crowd of onlookers

woman in blue shirt at podium — Students from Montclair’s new course “Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies” read the Land Acknowledgement to begin the event, which also featured remarks from President Jonathan Koppell and recent alumna and Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape member Brianna Dagostino ’21.

Brianna Dagostino ’21 (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape) offers reflections on the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day.

man in white shirt at podium — Department of Anthropology Chairperson and Native American and Indigenous Studies Co-Director Chrisopher Matthews welcomes the attendees.

man in purple shirt with microphone — Urie Ridgeway, emcee for the Red Blanket Singers.

Montclair President Jonathan Koppell addresses the audience.

Man performing dance with hoops — Members of the Red Blanket Singers participate in traditional tribal dances.

To see more photos, go to the gallery. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.