Indigenous Peoples' Day: Honoring Community and History

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honor and recognize the rich cultures, contributions, and histories of Indigenous communities across the United States. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of colonization and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. 

Indigenous communities have faced erasure and marginalization, often misrepresented through harmful stereotypes, media, and caricatures. They continue to confront systemic violence and disenfranchisement. Acknowledging their struggles and achievements requires more than a designated day. It is essential to elevate Indigenous voices, support their communities, and engage in practices that promote awareness of their joys and challenges. We must actively challenge injustices against Indigenous peoples.

About Indigenous Peoples' Day
In 2021, President Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day. South Dakota was the first state to celebrate "Native American Day" in 1990 as a counter to "Columbus Day." Berkeley, California, was the first city to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day in 1992, protesting the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival.

Despite the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, many still refer to this day as "Columbus Day," celebrating Christopher Columbus and the self-proclaimed "discovery" of the New World. However, history reveals that Columbus was not the first to discover the Americas, and honoring "Columbus Day" overlooks the brutal treatment and genocide of Indigenous peoples. His voyages led to the near extinction of the Taino people and marked the beginning of widespread colonization in the Caribbean.

Uplifting Voices: We are called to elevate Indigenous voices, actively support their communities, uplift the untold histories, and challenge the injustices they continue to face. By doing so, we commit to promoting awareness of both their joys and challenges.

As we acknowledge the land our university occupies, we pay tribute to those who originally cared for it and confront the historical and ongoing injustices faced by displaced communities. This acknowledgment must serve as a foundation for genuine commitment and action to support Indigenous communities, past, present, and future. Land acknowledgments are just the first step in recognizing Indigenous peoples and their histories. We encourage everyone to honor the Indigenous peoples who came before us, those who are present today, and future generations, celebrating their rich legacies. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to all Indigenous faculty, staff, and students at UMBC.

Join us today as we celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples Day for our Donuts & Dialogue event in collaboration with the UMBC Indigenous Peoples' Union. Stop by the Mosaic Center from 12-1pm. 

Join IPU on October 16 for their Interest Mixer. Learn more at their myUMBC page here. 

Commuter Connections is hiring for a Graduate Assistant!  This is a one-year position with consideration for renewal. The GA position (Master's or PhD eligible) starts Jan 12, 2026, working 20 hrs/week. Must be available Tuesdays 7:30–11:30 am. 

The ideal candidate for this Graduate Assistant position has experience supporting student events and/or is familiar with the commuter student programming experience at UMBC. They are creative, able to generate programming ideas, and proficient with design and communication tools such as Canva, and social media platforms. They possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build meaningful relationships across diverse student populations. 

To review the job description, click here. To apply, click here.

Apply by Friday, Oct 17, 2025! Any questions, contact commuters@umbc.edu

Hi everyone, 

We invite you to the CAHSS College Senate Town Hall on Friday, October 24th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in Commons 331. This event is open to all CAHSS students, faculty, and staff, providing an opportunity for the college community to come together and discuss topics that matter to us.

The conversation will cover campus academic resources, access to research funding and scholarships, mental health and wellness, and academic accountability. Your input and questions will help us talk, and this is a space where we would like to hear directly from you.

We'll have pizza and beverages available, so come by with a friend, enjoy some food, and take part in the conversation.

We are excited to see you there.

CAHSS Senators

Open Access Week is an annual opportunity to learn and raise awareness about Open Access (OA): free, immediate, online access to scholarly research and the right to use and re-use that research as needed. Indiana University's Open Access Week virtual events are open to all who are interested. To register, follow the links or visit  IU's Open Access Week 2025 Website.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 12–1 p.m. (Eastern)

Panel: Who Owns Our Knowledge Infrastructures? Emerging Scholarly Publishing Platforms and Outputs

Leading scholars and publishing technologists discuss how new scholarly publishing platforms and models are challenging traditional modes of publication and research evaluation systems.

Thursday, October 23 | 1–2:30 p.m. (Eastern)

Panel: The Case for University-Based Publishing: Models, Missions, and Momentum

This panel will examine the promise and challenges of university-based publishing—from university presses to library publishing programs—and explores funding, sustainability, and opportunities for collaboration.

Friday, October 24, 2025 | 12:30–2 p.m. (Eastern)

Keynote: Who Owns Our Knowledge: Scholar-Led Infrastructures and the Future of Publishing

Dr. Juan Pablo Alperin explores how the global growth of open access journals is challenging dominant publishing models, reshaping access to knowledge, and redefining scholarly communication worldwide.

 For more information and to register for the events, see IU's Open Access Week 2025 Website.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a vibrant harvest celebration and holiday observed across a number of Asian countries and communities worldwide. It traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

The official start of the celebrations for 2025 is Monday, October 6th. Some countries and cultures celebrate across multiple days. 

A Celebration of Harvest and Family

Predominately observed in countries like China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, the festival is a time for gratitude, reunion, and observing the bountiful autumn harvest.

While the central theme of gathering with family and loved ones is universal, each culture brings its own unique traditions, whether it's a specific emphasis on the full moon, honoring ancestors, or celebrating children.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is known by several beautiful names, reflecting the cultural diversity of its observance:

• China (Mandarin/Cantonese) | 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) / 中秋節 (Jūng-chāu Jit) (Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, Mooncake Festival) 
• Vietnam |  Tết Trung Thu (Also known as the Children's Festival)
• Korea | 추석 (Chuseok) / 한가위 (Hangawi) (Often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving")
• Japan | 月見 (Tsukimi) (Moon Viewing)
• Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan | Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival
• Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia | Lantern Festival (Note: This is distinct from the Lantern Festival that takes place in the first month of the Lunar calendar)

Calling All Graduate Students! 

The application for the Spring 2026 Graduate Student Fellowship at the Dresher Center is now live! This fellowship supports graduate students in the humanities and related disciplines who are pursuing innovative research.

Apply now and learn more on the website:
https://dreshercenter.umbc.edu/fellowships/graduate-student/

If any students have questions about the program or application process, please contact chobson1@umbc.edu directly.

Freshly brewed coffee, tea are waiting for you in Commons 308. Come join the Office of Graduate Student Life this morning for Coffee Monday from 10AM - 2PM! Follow their myUMBC page for more info about events like this!