Events
Annual events
Our gatherings honor Native and Indigenous cultures, histories, and voices—offering space for celebration, connection, and collective strength. Through annual traditions and community-centered programs, we come together to reflect, uplift one another, and build a vibrant future. All programs and offerings of the American Indian Resource Center are open to all students in the UC Santa Cruz Community.
Fall Welcome
Each Fall Quarter, the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) hosts a Welcome Event to bring together new and continuing students, staff, and faculty. This annual gathering is a chance to connect, build community, and kick off the academic year in a welcoming and supportive space.
The event features introductions to AIRC staff, fun games and contests with prizes, and plenty of delicious food. All are welcome—feel free to bring friends and join us as we start the year in celebration and community.
Amah Mutsun Speaker Series
The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series was established in 2009 through the collaboration of Dr. Dennis Tibbetts, then Director of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), and Chairman Valentin Lopez of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. The series was created to raise awareness about issues affecting Native communities, with a particular focus on California Native peoples.
The Speaker Series is guided by a board composed of Amah Mutsun Tribal Band members, AIRC staff, and UC Santa Cruz faculty. Events take place twice each academic year—once in the Fall Quarter and again in the Spring Quarter.
Learn more about the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band by visiting their official website.
Indigethanx: Celebrating Indigenous Foodways of the Americas
Indigethanx is the AIRC’s alternative Thanksgiving celebration. The goal of this event is to provide the campus community an opportunity to rethink the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, it serves to help educate the UCSC community about traditional Native foodways. Each year, the center hosts a speaker and serves indigenous foods. Join us in November!
IndigeFest and the UCSC Pow Wow
The American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) hosted the first IndigeFest—originally known as Drum Feast—on May 24, 2012, at Oakes Lower Lawn. The event was established in honor of Sophia Garcia Robles, a Native woman who served UC Santa Cruz for 27 years in the Financial Aid Office. Sophia was a vital member of the American Indian community in Santa Cruz, and IndigeFest continues to serve as a heartfelt tribute to her lasting impact.
IndigeFest celebrates the songs, dances, arts, and cultures of Indigenous peoples in a pan-tribal gathering rooted in fellowship, respect, and empowerment. Dance groups from across the Americas have participated over the years, alongside cultural vendors, community organizations, and student groups.
In 2025, the AIRC expanded its outreach by hosting the UCSC Pow Wow at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz. The event welcomed vendors from across California, featured competitive dancing, and honored the recipients of the E.A. Forssgren Scholarship. It was a vibrant celebration that brought together students, families, and community members to engage with and honor Native American cultures.
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
On May 6, 2019, the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) hosted its first annual event honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). This ongoing event aims to raise awareness about a critical human rights issue that continues to impact Native communities across the United States and beyond.
Held each year on or around May 5—the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG in the United States—the event is an opportunity for UC Santa Cruz students, staff, faculty, and Santa Cruz community members to engage in education and advocacy.
The AIRC’s MMIWG event provides an overview of the history and scope of the crisis, including issues of jurisdiction, legislative efforts, and the work of grassroots advocates. Attendees are also offered resources and actionable steps to help raise awareness and support efforts for justice.
Year End Celebration
The Year End Celebration (YEC) is an annual event held at the end of each academic year to honor the accomplishments of Native graduates. This gathering brings together AIRC staff, family, friends, and community members to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students as they complete their degrees. All are welcome to attend this meaningful celebration of community, culture, and student success.