WSU Vancouver Community Gathers To Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day With Drum, Song And Poetry - 10/02/25
VANCOUVER, Wash. – In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Washington State University Vancouver invites the community to a special celebration honoring the rich cultural traditions and enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The event, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration: Honoring the Land and Our Ancestors, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110 on campus. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.
The celebration will feature a powerful performance by PDX Walptaiksha Drum, a revered collective of singers and drummers from the local Indigenous community. Their songs—ranging from traditional ceremonial pieces to modern powwow styles—serve as a tribute to the deep connection between the people, the land and their ancestors.
“The drum is the heartbeat of our people,” said Dominique Arthur, PDX Walptaiksha Drum member. “It calls us together, tells our stories and reminds us of our strength in community. We are honored to share our songs and invite everyone to experience the power and feeling that comes from the drum.”
Program Highlights:
- Land Acknowledgment and Opening Prayer by Julian Ankney, campus director of Native American Programs
- Traditional Drum and Song Performance by PDX Walptaiksha Drum, featuring traditional songs and explanations about their significance
- Indigenous Poetry read by students and community members
- Traditional round dance guided by performers, join in if you choose
- Intertribal Discussion and Reflection on heritage, resilience and the importance of honoring Indigenous traditions
Attendees are encouraged to be present and respectful of the ceremonial nature of the performances.
About Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed on the second Monday of October, recognizes the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of Native peoples. It serves as an opportunity to honor Indigenous communities and raise awareness of both historic and contemporary issues faced by Native peoples.
About WSU Vancouver
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-TRAN bus service. Find a campus map at vancouver.wsu.edu/map. Parking is available in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $4 a day. Download the AMP Park app or go to aimsmobilepay.com to pay for parking.
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools, area tribes and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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