On Monday, Oct. 13, students and faculty gathered on campus to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a celebration that honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities across the Americas. Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes the resilience, traditions, and ongoing presence of Native peoples, whose lands we continue to live and learn on.
The event began with a land acknowledgment recognizing the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral territories the school now occupies. This solemn moment set the tone for a gathering rooted in respect, education, and celebration.
Following the acknowledgment, the Muniz family, including the parents Miguel Muniz and Anaid Cordova as well as their three children Leilani, Emiliano, and Miguel, took the stage to share a performance of Aztec traditional dances. Miguel, the father, introduced the family and spoke about the historical and cultural roots of the dances, which originate from the Mexica people, also known as the Aztecs, founders of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, today known as Mexico City. He explained that these dances were passed down through generations, preserved both within families and through observation of modern-day street performance groups.
Before dancing, the family performed a ceremonial greeting to the six directions: North, East, South, West, Sky, and Mother Earth. Using smoke and instruments, they offered gratitude to the energies around them, a reflection of the deep spiritual and cultural significance that grounds their traditions.
Dressed in traditional clothing, the family danced to rhythmic beats and melodies played on various instruments. Each dance had distinct movements and steps, with Anaid emphasizing that “each dance is a story” meant to convey history, culture, and connection.
One of the most engaging moments came when the family invited students and faculty to join them in learning one of the dances. Participants moved together, guided by Anaid, who explained how each motion symbolized the elements of earth, fire, water, and wind, as well as the directions. The interactive segment brought joy, laughter, and a sense of unity to the group.
Junior Malia Bauman reflected on the significance of the event: “I took away the importance of learning more about different cultures and practices from my own. It is really amazing to be invited into a space where something that is so special is shared freely.” She added, “I think it is really important to create spaces on campus where people feel like they can be seen. The history of colonial violence and attempted erasure is very important to learn about and actively fight against. And today we got to celebrate resistance, joy, spirituality, and creativity on campus.”
Events like this serve as important reminders of the value of cultural recognition and the need to create inclusive, affirming spaces on campus. Indigenous Peoples’ Day not only honors the past but also celebrates the thriving cultures, resilience, and voices of Indigenous communities today.
