Indigenous Peoples Day

Presentation Schedule October 10, 2022 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

8:30 AM ›› Opening Session

Morning Prayer: TBD

Opening Remarks/Land Acknowledgement: Rose Toehe; Dine’/Ute, Coordinator for Indigenous, Initiatives, City of Flagstaff

Welcome and Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation: Mayor Paul Deasy, City of Flagstaff

9:00 AM ›› Climate Change & Action
Young adults and their advocacy work on bringing awareness to the climate crisis and the need for systematic change. The audience will become informed by youth advocacy and their call for bold involvement around creating a platform on speaking for, defending Mother Earth, and the sacred elements.

McKalee Steen is a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and is currently a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley in the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management department.
She is passionate about studying Indigenous land stewardship practices, providing resources for Indigenous youth, and the power of storytelling.

Kaly Arvizu is Diné and a senior majoring in Social Work with a minor in Community Engagement. She is the current Indigenous Ambassador for Northern Arizona University. She is proud to represent and serve her People through this title as well as other advocacy and direct-action efforts. She is currently working towards creating an Indigenous Community Garden for Indigenous students at NAU to provide cultural reconnection and language revitalization.

11:00 AM ›› Reflecting & Honoring Community
Youth panel discussion to go into depth about contributions of Indigenous people in this community. About recognizing and understanding the importance of place. How do we as a community honor the considerations and contributions of our youth.

12:00 PM ›› Lunch
Lunch will be served to honor community members able to attend the event. Indigenous Commission member Fawn Toya, and Somana Tootsie, owner of Hopi Studio, have planned the meal.

1:00 PM ›› Cultural Shares
Two Indigenous dance group will join the event and provide performances which will include sharing the groups’ mission and meaning of their regalia.

Yoyhoyam is a collective of Hopi and Tewa people based in Flagstaff that have gathered to practice and teach ancient traditions to the children while sharing culture with our communities. Yoy-hoy-am translates to Little Rain Clouds in the Hopi Language. The group will be performing a Corn Dance that demonstrates and honors the growth of corn and the harvest that ensues to nourish the community.

Danza Mexica Mexicayotl is a Danza group that focuses on bringing awareness to injustices affecting Indigenous people and people around the world. The group uses their culture and traditions as a tool to bring awareness to such issues and allow the dances to “speak for us” in order to convey these messages to the public.