Maryville College plans observances to honor Native American History Month
Oct. 23, 2025
During the month of November, Maryville College’s Center for Community and Belonging will host several events focusing on themes of culture, language and history in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
Native American Heritage Month is an annual observance during the month of November dedicated to celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Native Americans.
For MC’s observance, dedicated ambassador and Indigenous cultural educator Sayota Knight will be a guest speaker at Maryville College Chapel services from 1:15 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Samuel Tyndale Wilson Center for Campus Ministry.
“During this reflection, Knight will share insights on the red path of spirituality in Indigenous culture, offering a unique perspective on this year’s theme: ‘Fullness of Joy,’” said Aja Rodriguez ’08, director of the Center for Community and Belonging. “Knight will also collaborate with the Campus Ministry team to recommend meaningful readings and musical selections that reflect Indigenous traditions and spiritual wisdom.”
Knight hopes that students and faculty alike will walk away from the service with a better understanding of Indigenous spiritual views. Even though he is not a spiritual authority, Knight says he still wishes to provide a perspective that will give people a greater understanding of Indigenous culture.
But the observances don’t stop there, because Knight will also be hosting a “World Coffee Hour” workshop at 4 p.m., also on Nov. 11 at the Center for Campus Ministry.
According to Rodriguez, this session will feature a display of Indigenous artifacts and an open conversation about cultural understanding. Knight will guide participants in exploring respectful engagement with Indigenous culture — what to do, what to avoid and how to deepen awareness through authentic learning.
“I hope that I can provide students with a better understanding of how to have good conversations with Indigenous people regarding Indigenous culture, in terms of word usage, helping to educate students and make them feel comfortable in how to ask questions,” Knight said. “In my experience, I have found that good communication helps to diffuse fear, which is the barrier to knowledge. In past speeches I have given, many students’ feedback is that they do not know what to say or how to ask questions without the fear of being offensive.”
If everyone walks away with a feeling of comfort, empowerment and most importantly, a profound feeling of connection, Knight says he would consider the workshop a success.
Knowledge, Knight says, is part of what makes celebrating Native American Heritage Month so powerful.
“As the old adage states: Knowledge is power. For millions of U.S. citizens, including myself, the lack of knowledge or the omission of the entire history has weakened our knowledge and ability to transcend,” Knight said. “Power is relative. A Yaqui (an Indigenous tribe from the Yaqui River valley in the Mexican state of Sonora) medicine man said that the only power we have is to realize we do not have any power. However, to me, one month does not do justice to help demonstrate the beauty and amazing aspects of indigenous culture.
“The invitation from the faculty — specifically from Dr. Ben Stubbs — was the spark to ignite my ability to attend the events at Maryville College. However, being an education advocate, I have always wanted to help bridge gaps and provide knowledge to students in order to help educate people out of ignorance.”
Rodriguez said she is thrilled to welcome Knight to campus and to invite the MC community to be a part of these enriching experiences.
“These events offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from an Indigenous educator whose life and work embody resilience, creativity and community care. Come with curiosity, leave with inspiration,” Rodriguez said.
— Written by McKenna Marr ’28