COCC will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with events across four campuses

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Community College will observe Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, Oct. 12, with events scheduled across its four campuses in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville.

The campus activities include an educational presentation on the origin of the powwow, curated library book displays and a multi-campus paper-chain project.

The planned events follow COCC's formal designation of the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2021. The college previously adopted an official land acknowledgement in 2020 to recognize and pay respect to the original stewards of the lands where its campuses are situated.

As part of the day's events, COCC ethnic studies instructor Gabriann Hall and Native American student program coordinator Jeremiah Rector will host a presentation on the origin of the powwow. The session takes place from noon to 1 p.m. in Ochoco Hall, Room 204, on the Bend campus and no registration is required.

Staff from the college's Barber Library are setting up curated book collections featuring Native American authors and themes across all four campus locations. Alongside the book displays, campuses will host an interactive craft project in the Coats Campus Center in Bend, the Technology Education Center in Redmond and the main entrances of the Madras and Prineville campuses.

Rector, Native American student program coordinator, detailed the interactive element taking place across the campuses. “Also at these campus locations, there will be a paper-chain-building activity for folks to participate in,” Rector said. “Participants choose a category that focuses on an aspect of Native American culture or history and they can start or add to an existing chain.”

Individuals requiring physical or mobility accommodations for college events can contact campus services at 541-383-7775. Those seeking accommodations for hearing impairments or other disabilities can reach student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.

Once complete, the paper chain will be displayed at COCC during Native American Heritage Month.