A message from Vice President Menah Pratt on Indigenous Peoples Day
To the university community,
Today we will observe Indigenous Peoples Day with a fuller understanding of the impact of the founding of Virginia Tech on Native peoples. Virginia Tech’s adoption of land acknowledgement and labor recognition statements has been an invaluable opportunity to thoughtfully explore the university’s history, including learning more about the Tutelo/Monacan people who are the historical stewards of the land on which we work and live in Blacksburg.
We recognize their enduring ties to the land and natural resources that continue to support our mission, and we honor the legacy of traditional peoples, past and present, in keeping with InclusiveVT, our institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence.
President Tim Sands believes this year’s event is particularly meaningful in light of our formalization of the land acknowledgement and labor recognition statements, noting “the histories of Native communities across the commonwealth and the nation are an inextricable part of Virginia Tech’s founding and are sustained by our Indigenous students, staff, and faculty. Their past and present experiences must inform our continuing commitment to meet the growing needs and support the sovereignty of Native Nations.”
We encourage you to participate in today’s events, which include all-day art exhibits with Native student art in Newman Library and the Laurie Steelink exhibit at Moss Arts Center. A morning conversation with Rob Nelson about reclaiming queer Indigenous love will occur in Newman Library and an evening keynote address with Winona LaDuke will take place at Moss Arts Center. More information is available here.
And please take time this semester to visit our Indigenous Community Center, meet our many Indigenous faculty, staff, and students; and learn about the land that supports Virginia Tech’s mission and vision during Native and Indigenous Heritage month.
Let’s continue exploring our history together and keep the conversation going.
Menah Pratt
Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity
More information about the history of Indigenous Peoples Day at Virginia Tech is available here. On Feb. 18, 2019, history was made at Virginia Tech as the University Council approved a resolution to observe Indigenous Peoples Day. As part of Virginia Tech's ongoing commitment to InclusiveVT, the university observes Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October each year. The full resolution was written by Virginia Tech’s Indigenous students.
