This Monday, the EMU community welcomed students and staff to a special convocation in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day—a holiday on the second Monday of October each year that celebrates those of Native American roots, honoring their ancestors, history, and culture. The convocation was created as a way for the EMU community to participate in the day. Various EMU staff spoke along with guest speaker Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore, a former EMU Peacebuilding and Media Arts professor, who is also from the Mohawk tribe. 

Moore is a filmmaker who has participated in community projects in the Shenandoah Valley and contributed to the Discovery Channel. As of now, Moore is currently a part of The Aunties Dandelion Project, which focuses on fundraising for a movie about the Mohawk community and their experience with COVID-19. Convocation audience members watched Moore’s movie, entitled “VeRONAka.” The focus of the film is “responding to corona through indigenous wisdom” Moore said. 

Before the film started, Moore said to the audience, “It is important to listen with your heart.” She wanted people to know that this short film not only covers an important topic that is a world affair, but also emphasizes the importance of different cultures and ethnicities. The film tracked how the Mohawk community dealt with COVID-19, and showed how strong one community can be in the face of adversity. It showed the strength and creativity of Native American communities and their success in handling the pandemic.

Moore, as well as the other speakers, repeated that we should protect and honor the natives’ land that was taken away from them—that we should take care of their Shenandoah. Moore spoke about different native groups, the history of nearby land, and elements of indigenous culture such as gratitude to the earth and its natural elements.

 The event gave important information on the culture and history of the Mohawk tribe but also showed the strength in unity and the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.