Indigenous Peoples’ Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day provides us with an opportunity to honor and to learn more about the heritage, resilience, and legacy of Indigenous People.

October 13, 2025
Morrill Hall sits on the south end of the University of Nevada, Reno quad, a large lawn area surrounded by trees and a walking path.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day provides us with an opportunity to honor and to learn more about the heritage, resilience, and legacy of Indigenous People.

October 13, 2025

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is commemorated on the second Monday of October each year, provides us with an opportunity to honor and to learn more about the heritage, resilience, and legacy of Indigenous People.

The United Nations has estimated that there are 476 million Indigenous People who live in 90 countries throughout the world. In 2025, there are close to 600 Tribal Nations recognized in the U.S. In all, the Indigenous Peoples of the world represent more than 7,000 languages and more than 5,000 cultures.

Nevada is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and the Wašiw (Washoe), which in turn comprise 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils. More than 200 Tribal languages are still spoken and the Tribal land base in Nevada amounts to more than 1.6 million acres.

Our University, through the work of our Office of Indigenous Relations, is making every effort to build a strong sense of community and pathways for academic, professional, and personal success for our students, faculty, and staff who are of Indigenous origin, while also raising awareness throughout our entire campus. In addition, the University has been actively implementing academic curriculum that is relevant to the experience and culture of the state’s Native Americans, including our Indigenous Studies minor, as well as our courses in Northern Paiute language and tribal government.

The University of Nevada is extremely proud of the accomplishments and the contributions that our students, faculty, and staff of Indigenous origin make in furthering our institutional mission. Our Indigenous communities include University alumni and friends who are daily advancing our state’s history, culture, and development.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day where all can learn more about the experiences, history, and vast array of contributions of Indigenous People. It is a day that should carry over throughout all days of the year – where the pride, place, and visibility of Indigenous People in our society is recognized and shared so that all people can benefit.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President

October 13, 2025