Culture, tradition and community are embodied by the breathtaking “Great Basin Mural” now on display on the University of Nevada, Reno’s campus. The mural created by Autumn Harry, a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe who is Numu (Northern Paiute) on her paternal side and Diné (Navajo) on her maternal side, perfectly captures visual storytelling with a tale about the lands of Northern Nevada.
All are welcome and invited to the upcoming celebration event on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the mural location on the west/northwest side of the Ansari Business Building, between the Ansari Business Building and the William Pennington Student Achievement Center. The event is free to attend, open to the public and light snacks and refreshments will be available.
Daphne Emm Hooper, director of Indigenous Relations at the University, will emcee the event where President Brian Sandoval, Provost Jeff Thompson and muralist Autumn Harry will speak. The event will also feature drummer Vernon Rogers and a blessing from tribal elders.
“The ‘Great Basin Mural’ creates an opportunity to share the culture of our Native communities. It helps create a sense of belonging within our students and faculty, serving as a reminder that the University was established on the original homelands of the Great Basin Tribes,” Emm Hooper said.
Autumn Harry graduated in May with a Master of Science degree in Geography, with a specific focus on the reclamation of Numu place names at Kooyooe Pa’a Panunadu. Harry is the first Numu woman fly fishing guide in her homelands and she identifies as a fisherwoman, land defender, Indigenous rights advocate and artist.