Native American Heritage

Celebrating and recognizing American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous People

Health & Medicine

When patient care becomes community care

Nurse and Online Master of Public Health student Misty Youngbear is using public health to strengthen community while serving the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Misty Youngbear and her family at the Nevada Indigenous Affinity Celebration.
May 8, 2026
Research & Innovation

Faces of the Pack: Alexandria Sanchez

How the NV INBRE Tribal Academy shaped this student's college experience

A person in graduation attire stands smiling in front of a mural. The mural features silhouettes of Indigenous people under a colorful sky, with labels for the Northern Paiute, Washoe, Western Shoshone, and Southern Paiute peoples.
July 9, 2026
Impact & Student Success

Nevada Native Nations Center LEAD program builds pathways to higher education and Nevada’s workforce

Nevada Tech Hub funds Tribal high school students’ hands-on college experience and exposure to career pathways

A large group of students smiling and holding Wolf Pack hand signs on a Wolf Pack branded basketball court.
July 2, 2026
Health & Medicine

Aging and dementia care summit at Pyramid Lake brings together Tribal leaders and health experts

Co-hosted by the School of Public Health’s DEER Program and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, the event explores traditional healing and clinical care

A group of speakers from the Tribal Summit on Age- and Dementia-Friendly Care in 2025.
May 1, 2026
Research & Innovation

Associate Professor Debra Harry, Ph.D has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts’ Department of Gender, Race, and Identity proudly celebrates this national achievement

Debra Harry holding a book, next to a bookshelf and book titled "We Are Still Here.".
April 29, 2026

Preserving and revitalizing the Great Basin indigenous language of Numu

Native American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage events

View all Native American Heritage events
Ignacio Montoya

Snapshots of language loss and revitalization: Paiute classes at the University and Stewart Indian School

International Mother Language Day provides opportunity to understand why mother language must survive. Assistant Professor Ignacio Montoya goes into how indigenous languages are disappearing and why it's important to save them.

Read more about language revitalization
Arts & Culture

University of Nevada, Reno holds 2026 Royal Pageant and Powwow on April 3 and 4

Two free, campus events will honor Indigenous culture, leadership and tradition

Children dressed in traditional Native American regalia pose on a basketball court.
April 3, 2026

Sydney K. Williams named Nevada’s Udall institutional nominee

Williams demonstrates deep dedication to public service and advocacy for Tribal communities

Sydney Williams headshot.
March 9, 2026
Education & Public Service

Spotlighting the legacy of Black educators in Navajo Nation schools

Research traces the overlooked impact of desegregation-era policies

A row of empty desks in a classroom.
Jan. 27, 2026
Impact & Student Success

Faces of the Pack: Antoinette Cavanaugh

Doctoral student celebrates the launch of her bilingual children’s book honoring Shoshone language, family and culture

Antoinette Cavanaugh reading the book she wrote.
Dec. 1, 2025
Arts & Culture

Faces of The Pack: Tasheena Egan

From opportunity to impact: How student leader Tasheena Egan empowers others to embrace their identity through the Native LEAD Program

Portrait of Tasheena leaning against brick wall looking at camera
Nov. 21, 2025
Education & Public Service

CoLang 2026 to be held in Reno with $247,926 National Science Foundation award to support collaborative language research

The College of Liberal Arts is set to host this national institute in July 2026

The artist's hand as she paints a woman's face as part of the Tribal mural on campus.
Nov. 14, 2025

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the University of Nevada, Reno is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands continue to be a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their deep connections to these places. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on their territory.

Office of Indigenous Relations

The Office of Indigenous Relations aims to build strong community connections, provide funding and resources, and create supportive and culturally inclusive environments for Indigenous students, faculty and communities.