Calendar of Events

11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. 

Birch Aquarium at Scripps 

Join us for a day at the Birch Aquarium with family and friends, as we center and celebrate Indigenous people and Indigenous ocean knowledge with the original peoples of Southern California, Baja California, and from across Turtle Island. 

This event features Bird Singing, storytelling, ethnobotany with native plants, hands-on activities inspired by Indigenous traditions — such as tule boat making — and offers opportunities to connect with Indigenous cultural and educational organizations, and more!

Indigenous Ocean Day is open to the public and all activities are included with aquarium admission. A limited number of complimentary tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis when you book online in advance through the Birch Aquarium website — use promo code OCEANS25 at checkout to redeem this limited offer.  

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Price Center West Ballroom B

The 19th Annual Native American Heritage Month Celebration is Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Price Center West Ballroom B. This celebration centers Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives.

The event will welcome Kumeyaay Birdsingers and a panel of UC San Diego faculty and staff including, Dr. Tommi Gains (PRIME TIDE Director), Heather Ponchetti Daly (Assistant Professor of History), Casandra Lopez (Assistant Professor of Literature), and Eva Trujillo (UC San Diego NAGPRA Coordinator), who are centering Indigenous knowledge on campus and in the community to help lead the next generation of scholars.

The 2025 Roots of Community award recipient will be announced, and an Indigenous-inspired meal, crafted by Saltaire will be provided.

To reserve a table or inquire for more information, email nahm@ucsd.edu. 

11:30 - 1:30 p.m. 

Cross-Cultural Center, Price Center East, Level 2

Beyond Land Acknowledgments, led by Intertribal Resource Center Coordinator Michaela Allen Sanchez (Lipan Apache & Mexican-American), is an engaging and introspective workshop designed for staff and faculty aimed at moving beyond traditional land acknowledgements.

In this 2-hour session, participants will delve into critical discussions about their own positionalities and explore ways to identify opportunities for growth and advocacy.

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Intertribal Resource Center 

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Cross-Cultural Center, Price Center East, Level 2

Join fellow staff and faculty for a hands-on crafting workshop hosted by the San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC)! Paint small gourds and create sage bundles while connecting in community, celebrating creativity, and embracing seasonal traditions together. Enjoy a cozy space to learn about wellness, cultural practices, and resources from SDAIHC while making something beautiful with your own hands.

RSVP: tinyurl.com/cccstaffjoy

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

Cross-Cultural Center, Price Center East, Level 2

Have you ever been curious to learn more about the origins of the well-known psychology theory, “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”? Join this Equity Exchange as we will be diving deeper into the theory’s Indigenous roots, specifically stemming from the Blackfoot tribal community. This session, led by Kānaka Maoli practitioner Haley Kanoelani Okamoto, will discuss how we can reframe the ways in which we approach topics related to basic needs. Drawing from Native Hawaiian pedagogy, this Equity Exchange will allow participants to engage in meaningful conversations, connect with Indigenous thought, and recenter oneself in community.

RSVP: tinyurl.com/cccstaffee

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. 

Cross-Cultural Center, Price Center East, Level 2

Come together with fellow staff to read, discuss, and learn from & with each other.

Fall Read: White Horse by Erika T. Wurth. Book Club Discussion Week 10. 

For more details and to RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/beyondthepagesccc