CMU Staff, Students Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day With New Mural

Monday was Columbus Day, otherwise known as Indigenous Peoples Day. Central Michigan University celebrated by unveiling a new mural on campus.

The University Center on the campus of Central Michigan was packed with Central Michigan faculty and students along with members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. People gathered to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with a ceremony unveiling a new mural representing Native American culture right in the heart of campus.

An Elder with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Joseph Sowmick, says Monday’s celebration along with the new mural showcases their positive relationship with the University and the community.

“When I see the Pow Wow’s and I see the cultural events that CMU hosts. It’s a good relationship and this mural kind of highlights that,” Sowmick states.

The new mural and the idea for it was created by CMU students. University President Bob Davies says CMU students wanted the mural to represent the history and traditions of Native American culture.

He says he’s happy to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and acknowledge Native American Tribe’s across the country.

“To us, visualization is the important part. Being seen and having this right in the heart of our campus where every faculty, every staff member, every student, as well as hundreds of thousands of visitors. It really is that symbol of who Central Michigan University is and how open we are in being inclusive,” President Davies says.