Events at the Many Nations Longhouse

Apr 11
Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Pedagogy of Relation: Teaching Native Theatre 4:00 p.m.

For the past decade, Theresa May, professor of Theatre Arts, and Marta Lu Clifford (Chinook, Cree, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Elder in Residence, have taught an...
Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium—Pedagogy of Relation: Teaching Native Theatre
April 11
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Many Nations Longhouse

For the past decade, Theresa May, professor of Theatre Arts, and Marta Lu Clifford (Chinook, Cree, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Elder in Residence, have taught an upper-division seminar in Contemporary Native Theatre. This course applies Indigenous methodologies and frameworks to plays and performances by contemporary North American Indigenous dramatists, demonstrating, as one student said recently, “Native theatre is Indigenous methodologies in action.” Join May and Clifford as they share their experience and that of some of their students.

How are contemporary Indigenous playwrights and theorists forwarding the project of decolonization, for themselves, their communities, for North American Indigenous networks, and for settler society? How are these artists exposing, resisting the legacies of colonialism? How is their work creating spaces of cultural revitalization, community healing? How do their plays celebrate survivance through representation of thriving cultures, traditions and languages? Can theatre intervene in systems of oppression (past and present) assert sovereignty, and envision Native futures?

But that’s just half of it. If plays are road maps to lived experience, to study them, even as literature, is to encounter that experience, to come into relation with the stories and events, and to be changed. As students reflect on their own relationship to the plays and articles they read, they learn to reflexively express a relationship to the experiences and events in the literature in light of their own subject positions—sometimes seeing their own experience, histories, families, and education in new ways. Because May and Clifford teach this course as an expression of their own relationship with one another and with the course material, students come into relation with the material and one another, provoking revelations, openings, emotions, and new-found responsibilities for their new knowledge.

In their talk, they would like to walk you through not only the course content, but the moments of realization and transformation that often occur over the term.

May 10
56th Annual Mother’s Day Powwow and Salmon Bake

The UO Native American Student Union hosts the 56th Annual Mother’s Day Powwow and Salmon Bake. Powwow: Friday 5/10, Saturday 5/11 Salmon Bake: Sunday...
56th Annual Mother’s Day Powwow and Salmon Bake
May 10
Mac Court and the Many Nations Longhouse

The UO Native American Student Union hosts the 56th Annual Mother’s Day Powwow and Salmon Bake.

Powwow: Friday 5/10, Saturday 5/11

Salmon Bake: Sunday 5/12


Indigenous Peoples Day

The origins of Indigenous Peoples Day date back to 1989 when the South Dakota legislature passed legislation changing the second Monday in October from Columbus Day to Native American Day, celebrating the day for the first time in 1990. The state of Oregon voted to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day in a new bill passed in 2021 by the Oregon Legislature. University of Oregon holds a tribal flag raising ceremony in the EMU Amphitheater each October.


Native American Heritage Month

Film, lectures, workshops, theater, colloquiums, panels, and gatherings happen across campus and the community throughout November.


UO Native American Student Union

NASU meets regularly at the Longhouse and holds events, speakers, and meals.


Native American and Indigenous Studies

This College of Arts and Sciences department hosts speakers, films, colloquiums, and other events.


Mother's Day Powwow

This annual event takes place the second weekend in May on campus. 2018 marked the 50th year and the powwow was honored with an Oregon Heritage Tradition designation from Oregon State Parks.


Native American Strategies Group

This group is a volunteer coalition of faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and community members who meet to communicate, plan, and facilitate a holistic vision of scholarship and service for Native students and Native American and Indigenous studies on campus. They meet on the first Friday of the month, noon-1:30 p.m. in the Longhouse.


Native American Law Student Association

NALSA holds occasional events.


Events subject to change.