A home for heritage in Blanding

During the second week of November, students, faculty and community members gathered at Utah State University’s Blanding campus to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month through a series of events.

Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president of USU Blanding and Moab, emphasized the importance of the celebration to the campus community in an email to The Utah Statesman.

“One of the distinctive aspects of our campus is that the majority of our students are Native American,” Olsen wrote. “Here, these celebrations hold a prominent and integral role, reflecting the cultural richness and identity of our student community.”

The week’s events were organized by Blanding’s student association and staff and offered a mix of traditional activities, creative workshops and culinary experiences, fostering a sense of connection and cultural pride.

“For many of us who come from the reservation, these activities brought back memories and created a space to feel connected to our roots,” said Manny Manygoats, Blanding’s student vice president.

One event was held each day, Monday through Thursday. The week began with Navajo Bingo on Monday, a cherished game that Manygoats said many students grew up playing.

“It was pretty cool because everyone came out. It brought back a sense of nostalgia for many of us,” he said.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, students tapped into their creativity with a bracelet beading workshop and rug painting.

“It was fun for me because I didn’t know how to bead before, but I learned,” Manygoats said.

The celebration concluded on Thursday with a fry bread night and banquet, featuring on-site dough preparation and a variety of toppings for the freshly made fry bread.

“Everyone came out and enjoyed it,” Manygoats said. “It really brought people together.”

The success of the celebration was the result of collaboration between student leaders and campus staff. While students, including Manygoats and his team, planned and executed much of the week’s activities, campus leadership provided guidance and support.

“Our Director of Student Services, Priscilla Arungwa, and Shilo Martinez, Student Life Coordinator, take the lead on planning and implementing the celebrations that happen on campus,” Olsen wrote.

The planning process also included partnerships with local organizations, such as the Utah Division of Indian Affairs. This year, the campus collaborated with UDIA to bring a powwow to Blanding at the beginning of the month.

“While UDIA holds this celebration annually, it has traditionally been centered along the Wasatch Front,” Olsen wrote. “Collaborating to bring this event to a rural and remote location for the first time was a meaningful and significant milestone.”

The celebration underscored the values and goals of the Blanding campus, which serves a majority Native American student population.

“We strive to ensure our Native American students feel valued and respected within our campus community,” Olsen wrote. “Celebrating their traditions is both a privilege and a responsibility.”

For Manygoats, who is Navajo, the week-long celebration held deep personal significance.

“For me, it’s about remembering where you come from and who you are and spreading enlightenment, empathy and education,” Manygoats said, citing values instilled by his mother.

Students and faculty alike responded positively to the events, with many expressing appreciation for the sense of belonging they created. “A lot of people said it felt like home,” Manygoats said.

In addition to organizing on-campus events, USU Blanding works closely with local tribes, elders and cultural organizations to enhance its programming.

A key example is the campus’s annual Connections program, where tribal elders share cultural stories and wisdom to guide students through their academic journeys.

“These collaborations celebrate and strengthen the cultural connections that are so vital to our students’ success and sense of identity,” Olsen said.

Looking ahead, Manygoats hopes future student leaders will continue the tradition.

“It was a pretty cool experience for everyone,” he said. “I think it’s a chance to remember where you come from, remember who you are and educate others.”