The annual Indigenous Peoples Day event celebrates the sovereignty, history, culture, and resilience of Native American communities while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. Featuring a variety of speakers, including storytellers, healers, or artists, the event showcases efforts to honor the First Peoples of this land and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.
12-2 p.m.
University Event Center - See Building #53 on Campus Map
Complimentary Parking in Lot 8
Students and community members will come together to explore Indigenous cultural revitalization as a vital path to climate justice. Guided by Native Studies approaches, the workshop will highlight how Indigenous traditions — language, song, foodways, and ceremony — nurture sustainability and strengthen collective responsibility. Participants will reflect on the links between cultural survival and ecological survival, affirming that climate justice must honor Indigenous sovereignty and living practices that sustain life for future generations.
11:45 Intertribal Drumming led by Chunya Johnson (Choctaw)
12:00 Yosemite Feather Dance Group, Miwuk Peoples from Mariposa County
12:20 Welcoming by Katherine Perez (Yokut/Ohlone), Cecilia Cramer (Miwuk/Paiute/Yokut) & Maxwell Johansen (Yurok)
12:30 Planting Seeds of Resistance Theme by Cueponcaxochitl (Caxcan/Xicana//Izkaloteka)
12:35 Motivational Guest Speaker Artist Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw)
12:50 Introducing Planting Seeds of Resistance Learning Circles Tamara Snieznik (Cherokee)
12:55 Pick Up Your Complimentary Indigenous Lunch and Join One Learning Circle
1:15 Learning Circles
1:45 Closing
Chunya Nowatabi Johnson is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Chunya is part Choctaw and part Mascalero Apache. He began teaching the Choctaw language in 2019. He has experience teaching language, stickball, drumming, and building workshops for multiple universities and tribal organizations. His main focus while working with indigenous communities is promoting cultural revitalization. Chunya lives in Happy Camp California.
Cecilia is a student here at California State University, Stanislaus. She is a descendent of the Miwuk, Paiute, and Yokut Nations of California. She is a basket weaver.
Katherine Perez was born and raised in San Joaquin County. Growing up she attended both public and private schools in Stockton. She graduated from college with an AA degree in Administration of Justice and worked within the County and State systems where she retired from the Employment Development Department as a case manager. She currently is the Chairperson of Nototomne Cultural Preservation and CEO of the Northern Valley Yokut/Ohlone Tribe, Inc. She has managed and operated a nonprofit for over 25 years. She currently opened another nonprofit to assist the Northern Valley Yokut Tribe with the goal of obtaining land back. Her passion has always been focused on the protection, dignity, and respect of her ancestors. She currently is working on the protection of Tesla Park with the States Park and Recreation to change its classification to a Reserve to Preserve and protect the land, cultural resources, and endangered species. She assisted the Tribe with obtaining an easement for a sculpture to commemorate the presence of the Northern Valley Yokut Tribe ceremony of coming of age in the City of Lathrop, CA. Her hobbies are gardening, and the care of birds, and her interest is to ensure the future of her family and her Tribe.
Bobby Von Martin is an International-Selling Fine Art Artist, published illustrator by Harper Collins Publishing, and motivational speaker. His artwork has been displayed at the Hall of Tribal Nations building in Washington D.C., 2024 California ICWA Conference, 2024 Statewide Judges Dinner, and was on set of the Marvel series film Echo.
Bobby's accomplishments include being the recipient of the 2021 Horizon Artist of the Year and 2023 California Arts Council Fellowship awards, and the creator/operator of the Honor Your Elders Art Exhibit and the Walk with Your Ancestors Art Exhibit. Additionally, he has presented at various universities, youth groups, and treatment centers, and most recently at the 2024 California ICWA Conference, 2024 Statewide Judges Dinner, 2024 Chukchansi ICWA Department's Christmas Dinner.
Tamara Sniezek is a Professor of Sociology at Stan State and Co-Advisor to the Indigenous Students in Activism Club. She is a citizen of the Cherokee nation and a descendant of the Wild Potato Clan. Her research involves collecting narratives that challenge expectations and subvert stereotypes of family, intimacy, gender and body image. Her most recent study explores body conformity and body diversity in sports. In her spare time she enjoys painting, the fiber arts, watching her daughter play volleyball and arguing with her cat “Rain”.
Aho! My Name is Rushanda Rios also known as MamaBear. I am Choctaw-Chickasaw on my mother’s side, on my father's side I’m Italian. I have a supportive husband and 8 beautiful children who support my love for this hobby I love so much. I started my journey of getting to know more about my culture about 10 years ago beading necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in my spare time. Doing ceremonies with family and close friends while learning our indigenous ways. I have been taught by my elders the traditional ways of getting my supplies, teaching my kids and grandbabies also how to bead it has helped me to be more peaceful being dedicated to it and now involved in vending and many social events and supporting our people. I also recently enrolled in a cosmetology program where I'm hoping to be able to have the skills to help out more in the native communities and hopefully open up my own salon business in the future.
COPAL CALLI is a Modesto based nonprofit whose mission is to empower the community through education, cultural awareness, leadership, and healing. We provide inclusive spaces for growth, self-determination, and recovery from generational trauma.
7-9 p.m. (Doors Open 6 p.m.)
1307 J St, Modesto, CA 95354 - Google Map
This year’s theme is “Planting Seeds of Resistance," and the event will feature a keynote speaker and a live musical performance by Pomo musician and San Francisco State University lecturer Paul Steward at the State Theatre in Modesto. We welcome all to celebrate Native American cultural survivance and community solidarity with us at this event, which is entirely free and open to the public.
7-7:05 p.m. – Welcome
7:10 - 7:50 p.m. – Keynote Speaker
8 - 8:50 p.m. – Paul Steward
9 p.m. – Thank you and Goodbye