Utah’s Indigenous Day Honors Heritage of Native Americans

Cultural performances and traditional dances will highlight the 2016 Utah Indigenous Day at the Thanksgiving Point Show Barn on Friday, Nov. 4.

This annual celebration is held every November, a month designated to honor the history and culture of the Native American people in Utah. Approximately 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will begin at 6 p.m. for the public. This year’s theme is “Spiritual Wings: Embracing Native Culture.”

As a proclamation from Governor Gary R. Herbert honoring Indigenous Day states, “We acknowledge the legacy and contributions of Utah’s Native American tribes by developing greater understanding of tribal sovereignty, governments, history,values, languages, social customers, music, and art.”

This year’s event will include cultural performances from students in the Nebo, Alpine, and Provo school districts and the Red Spirit Drum Group from Fort Duchesne. Bart Stevens, the superintendent for the Uintah and Ouray Agency of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and former acting director of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education, will deliver a keynote address.

A private reception will begin at 5 p.m. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to attend and present the Governor’s declaration at approximately 5:30 p.m. Media are welcome to attend.

The formal event will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to the public and the media.

Event Details

What: Utah Indigenous Day

Where: Thanksgiving Point Show Barn, 3003 Thanksgiving Way, Lehi

When: Private reception, 5-6 p.m. Media are welcome to cover Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox at 5:30 p.m. Public event and cultural performances begin at 7 p.m.