Indigenous Peoples' Day Agenda | Monday, October 12
Additional program details and presenters will be added as they are confirmed.
8:00–9:00 AM – Tipi Raising
Administration Building
Join us for a student-engaged tipi raising guided by James Tone, Shoshone-Bannock, with Rose Ann Abrahamson sharing stories and cultural teachings about the tipi and its significance. The morning will include a hand drum song by Kyree Tinno, offering an opportunity to experience Indigenous knowledge through storytelling, song, and hands-on learning.
Rose Ann Abrahamson is an Agai Dika/Lemhi Valley Shoshone Elder, fluent Shoshone speaker, Indigenous historian, educator, and cultural expert with more than 30 years of experience. A familial descendant of Sacajawea and direct descendant of Chiefs Cameahwait, Tendoy, and Willie Running Bear George, Rose Ann has dedicated her work to preserving and sharing Shoshone history, language, traditional arts, and cultural knowledge. She helped establish the Sacajawea Interpretive Center in Salmon, Idaho, and continues to share Indigenous knowledge through education, storytelling, cultural preservation, and the arts.
9:30 AM – Doors Open & Registration (ISU Student Union Ballroom)
Check in, explore arts-and-crafts vendors, and engage with student research posters.
10:00 AM – Welcome Remarks & Opening
Emcee Welcome
Tyson Shay - ISU Alumnus & Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member
Opening Drum & Posting of Colors
Spring Creek Singers
Fort Hall Veterans Association
Local Royalty & Student Dancers
Welcome Remarks
Fort Hall Business Council Member
Robert Wagner, President, Idaho State University
Royalty Welcome
Danella Perry-Murphy, Miss Native ISU
Ta’ya Osborne, Miss Shoshone-Bannock
Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Brunch Introduction
Lloyd George
Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member
Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Food & Beverage Director
Lloyd George will introduce the Indigenous-inspired brunch menu and share a message about Indigenous food sovereignty and the relationship between food, culture, community, and Indigenous knowledge.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Indigenous Food Sovereignty Brunch & Entertainment
Guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary Indigenous-inspired brunch while visiting, networking, and experiencing cultural entertainment. The brunch highlights Indigenous food sovereignty and the importance of food as a connection to culture, community, land, knowledge, and self-determination.
Musical Entertainment
Hovia Edwards – Native Flute
Brunch available while supplies last. Food trucks will open at Noon outside of the Bengal Theater.
11:00 AM – Keynote Adress
Gaylen V. Edmo, JD - Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member | Assistant General Counsel
Gaylen V. Edmo will deliver the 2026 keynote address exploring Tribal sovereignty in action—what sovereignty means, how it is exercised today, and the importance of Indigenous knowledge and Tribal perspectives in shaping relationships, institutions, and communities. His address brings the day’s theme, “Beyond the Land Acknowledgment: Indigenous Knowledge. Sovereignty in Action.” into focus through a contemporary Shoshone-Bannock perspective.
12:00 PM – Break / Hand Drum Songs
12:15 PM – Student Oratorical Competition
Indigenous Knowledge. Sovereignty in Action. Student & Alumni Voices.
ISU students and alumni take the stage to share their perspectives through oratory and storytelling inspired by the 2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Day theme. The competition provides a space for participants to explore Indigenous knowledge, sovereignty, identity, community, education, history, and the meaning of moving beyond acknowledgment toward action.
Participants will be evaluated by a panel of judges, with awards presented at the conclusion of the daytime program.
1:30 PM – Powwow Dance Presentation
ISU Native students and community members share the beauty and diversity of powwow dance styles and regalia through a student-centered dance presentation. Guests will learn about different dance styles while celebrating the students who continue to carry and share these cultural traditions.
2:00 PM – Student & Alumni Oratorical Competition Awards & Closing
Join us as we recognize participants and announce the award recipients of the 2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Student & Alumni Oratorical Competition.
Closing remarks: NASC Student Officers
2:30 PM – Daytime Program Concludes
Thank you for joining us. We invite you to continue celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day through the afternoon and return to the Pond Student Union Ballroom for our Indigenous Contemporary Fashion Show beginning at 6:00 PM.
Indigenous Arts & Crafts Vendors
Support Indigenous artists, makers, and entrepreneurs and explore authentic arts, crafts, jewelry, and other creations throughout the celebration.
ISU Student Research Posters
Explore student research highlighting Indigenous peoples, communities, knowledge, history, policy, sovereignty, and related areas of study.
Food Trucks | 12:00–8:00 PM
Food trucks will be available on campus beginning at noon. Food truck purchases are at the guest’s own expense. On-campus dining options are also available.
2:00–5:00 PM | FREE Admission
Idaho Museum of Natural History
Continue your Indigenous Peoples’ Day experience with free admission to the Idaho Museum of Natural History from 2:00–5:00 PM
Campus-Wide Feature
ISU Library Indigenous Peoples’ Day Display
Visit the ISU Library’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day display highlighting Indigenous voices, histories, knowledge, scholarship, and resources.
EVENING FINALE
5:00 PM | Fashion Show Doors Open
Pond Student Union Ballroom
Doors reopen for the evening celebration. Guests are invited to arrive early, visit Indigenous arts and crafts vendors, connect with the community, and prepare for the evening’s student-led celebration of contemporary Indigenous style and expression.
6:00 PM | Indigenous Contemporary Fashion Show
Indigenous Identity. Creativity. Style. Storytelling.
The student-led Indigenous Contemporary Fashion Show celebrates the many ways Indigenous people express identity, culture, creativity, and community through contemporary style.
Inspired in part by Christian Allaire’s The Power of Style, the show explores fashion as more than clothing—it can be a form of storytelling, cultural expression, entrepreneurship, art, identity, and connection. Students and community participants will showcase looks that reflect the many ways Indigenous style lives and evolves today.
7:00 PM | Aztec Dancers Performance
The evening concludes with a special performance by AZTEC DANCE GROUP sharing dance, music, regalia, and cultural expression with the ISU and greater Pocatello community.