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30 Days of Indigenous Syllabus

This November, the Office of Native American and Indigenous Affairs (NAIA) and the Education Team invite you to explore, create, and engage with Indigenous knowledge, art, and community through four interconnected themes:

  • Communal Care and Wellness:Discover traditional and contemporary approaches to healing, community care, and environmental stewardship—and consider how these practices are preserved, adapted, and passed forward.
  • Visual Media and Narrative Art:Experience the power of Indigenous storytelling across multiple forms, from traditional arts to digital futures, examining how creative expression becomes a living archive of experience and imagination.
  • Sovereignty:Examine how Indigenous nations maintain and assert their rights to self-determination, education, and cultural preservation—and explore whose stories get told, remembered, and carried into the future.
  • Indigenous Futurism:Imagine possibilities where Indigenous knowledge shapes sustainable solutions for tomorrow, treating memory not only as backward-looking but as a generative force for what could be.

This learning journey is yours to shape and to archive. Developed collaboratively by NAIA and the Education Team, this syllabus brings together programming, scholarship, and creative opportunities that center Indigenous voices and perspectives. Think of this syllabus as a constellation of opportunities rather than a fixed path. Follow your curiosity—dive deep into topics that captivate you, attend events that speak to your interests, and engage in ways that feel meaningful to you. As you move through these materials, consider: What will you choose to remember? What will you document? How might your own engagement become part of a larger story? 

Whether you have 30 minutes or 30 days, whether you're drawn to hands-on workshops or prefer quiet reflection, there's space for you here.

Each theme offers multiple ways to engage:

  • Read: Explore writings from Indigenous authors and scholars
  • Watch: Experience films, documentaries, and digital stories
  • Listen: Immerse yourself in music, podcasts, and oral histories
  • Make: Create art, write stories, design projects, and craft responses
  • Experience: Attend events, visit exhibitions, and participate in community gatherings
  • Document: Reflect on your journey and preserve what resonates

Events and Programs

Events take place both on Northwestern's campus and in surrounding communities, creating opportunities for learning through direct engagement. Connect with others, share your reflections, and become part of ongoing conversations about Indigenous justice, communal care, and solidarity.

View All Events

Date/Time

Details
November 1, 3:00-5:00pm @ Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum Elder-in-residence: Storytelling & Making Workshop with Allen & Karen Washinawatok
November 4, 12-1:00pm @ CNAIR CNAIR Brown Bag: Indigenous Feminisms
November 5, 3:30-5:00pm @ Women's Center (Evanston) Sand Creek Commemoration: Film & Discussion
November 11, 6:00-8:00pm @ Women’s Center (Evanston) Indigenous Storytelling Zine Making Workshop
November 12, 5:30-7:00pm @ University Library- Main Book Nook Sand Creek Commemoration: Making Activity
November 14, 5:00-8:00pm @ UIC Student Center East UIC-NASP Pow Wow
November 18, 5:30-7:00pm @ John Evans Alumni Center Sand Creek Commemoration: Procession & Fire

November 19, 6:00-7:30pm @ The Block

 CNAIR Fall Keynote: Dyani White Hawk in conversation with Caroline Kent

Thursdays, 6-8pm, CNAIR House (515 Clark St. Evanston, IL)

Ojibwe Language Circle: Come hang out and practice Ojibwe in a casual, friendly environment. Food is served. Open to all ages and skill levels.

Email:ForrestBruce2024@u.northwestern.edu for more details.

Syllabus Units

Begin anywhere. Return often. Let your journey unfold.

Keep up with all the events and activities on the syllabus!

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Note: This syllabus was crafted with thought, care, and expertise by a group of Queer, Indigenous, and/or Black educators. It is protected by a CC BY-NC license, which enables you to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. We invite you to share this information widely and freely, but only for non-commercial purposes, and we ask that you always include a link back to this website