Annual Events

At the beginning of every Fall quarter, the AIRC hosts a welcome event giving new and continuing American Indian students, staff, and faculty the opportunity to engage with each other. The Fall Welcome consists of introducing the AIRC staff, games/contests with prizes to win, and great food. It’s a welcoming, supportive space that will ensure you start off the school year right. Feel free to bring your friends along. Everyone is welcome!

The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series began in 2009 by the then American Indian Resource Center Director, Dr. Dennis Tibbetts, and Chairman Valentin Lopez of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. The purpose of the Amah Mutsun Speaker Series is to raise awareness about the issues that impact Native Americans and California Natives in particular. The speaker series board is composed of Amah Mutsun Tribal Band members, AIRC staff, and UCSC faculty. The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series occurs in the Fall quarter and again in the Spring quarter every school year. 

If you would like to learn more about the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, please click here to be directed to their official website. 

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!

The AIRC hosted the first IndigeFest, formerly known as "Drum Feast", on May 24th, 2012 at Oakes Lower Lawn. It was held in honor of Sophia Garcia Robles, a Native woman who served UCSC for 27 years in the Financial Aid office. She was actively involved with the American Indian community in Santa Cruz, and this event is a way to demonstrate our deepest appreciation for her support. At IndigeFest, we celebrate the culture, songs, dances, and arts of Indigenous people in a “pan-tribal” celebration of fellowship, respect, and empowerment. Dance groups from throughout the Americas have participated. Food and merchandise vendors, community groups, and student organizations also participate. 

This year, the AIRC will reach a larger audience in the greater Santa Cruz and Monterey communities by hosting a pow wow at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz. Vendors from throughout the State of California will be present with cultural items for sale, dancers will contest dance for prize money, and the recipients of the E. A, Forssgren Scholarship will be recognized for their achievement. The UCSC Pow Wow 2025 will be a unique opportunity for UCSC students and affiliates to engage directly with and celebrate Native American cultures. Bring your friends & family!

On May 6th, 2019, the AIRC hosted our first annual event in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The goal of this event is to raise awareness about MMIWG, a human rights issue severely impacting Native communities both in the United States and abroad. The AIRC's MMIWG event is held every year on or around May 5th, the United States’ National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

We present information about MMIWG for UCSC students, staff, faculty, and members of the Santa Cruz community. Our presentation highlights MMIWG history, issues of jurisdiction, legislation, advocates, and provides the audience with resources on what they can do to help spread awareness. 

This year, the AIRC will host an Art Build and Teach-In at Redwood Lounge on April 28th, 2025 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM.
On May 5th, a Red Dress Day Vigil will be held honoring our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. The vigil will take place at Cardiff House at 5:30PM.

The Year End Celebration is held at the end of every academic year. At this event, AIRC staff, friends, and family members come together to celebrate the accomplishments of our Native graduates in the completion of their degree. 

Join us for the 2025 YEC at the Cowell Hay Barn from 2:00PM to 5:00PM on June 12th, 2025!