Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 12, 2026
Dear All,
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Vassar stands upon the homelands of Indigenous peoples who were forcibly displaced. In the context of this history, we are committed to building and sustaining relationships with Native communities. Let us reflect on some of the steps we have taken together towards fulfilling this commitment.
We now have an important agreement with the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, which establishes a collaborative framework to guide respectful, ongoing tribal consultation concerning land use, land upheaval, and cultural stewardship on our campus. President Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, has visited campus and met with the Native American Advisory Committee and faculty teaching in Native American Studies to refine the agreement and plan for the future.
Also noteworthy, American Studies has recently become the American and Native American Studies Program. This name change reflects much discussion focused on making more visible the role that Native American Studies (a correlate within American Studies) plays in the program and on our campus.
Many of you have seen the major work of art called Seed on our campus. This Spring, Rose B. Simpson, the Tewa sculptor of the Santa Clara Pueblo who created the work, will be dedicating her sculpture, and all will be invited to join.
In February, the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Gallery will open a show with Dine weavers called Threads of Transformation, Dine Weaving Across Genders (February 13–June 6, 2027). This exhibition navigates, honors, and expands Navajo weaving traditions by showcasing the work of queer and non-binary Diné weavers across three generations.
We and the Native Nations share a complicated past. This history shapes our lives together and informs a present and future of collaboration and learning.
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day,
Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@linkedin.com/in/ehbradley