NAU celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

Latinx students at NAU

Sept. 11, 2019

Northern Arizona University is celebrating Latinx Heritage Month with a variety of events hosted by NAU’s Office of Inclusion. The tradition of Latinx Heritage Month started in 1968 and runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Historically, the month recognizes the days when several Latin American countries gained independence and celebrates the unique traditions, cultures and contributions from these countries. 

NAU’s celebration begins with an ice cream social at the Union Fieldhouse. Students and faculty can mix and mingle in a casual atmosphere while sharing stories and personal anecdotes.

“When planning, we try to have a balance of educational and fun events. Several of the events have been planned by student organizations,” said Rivkah Gamble, the senior administrative assistant with the Office of Inclusion.

The Latinx Student Union, Black Student Union, Daleth Phi Aleph and Hermanas United for Change have all been key student organizations in this year’s planning.

The month highlights two talks: “Diversity Dialogues: Mexican and Latina/o Immigration, Migration, and Labor” at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 25, followed by “Queer Migration and Border Crisis” given by NAU’s own Jessi Quizar, professor of ethnic studies, at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 1 in the IMQ Center.

The Flagstaff community is encouraged to take part in events and attend La Fiesta, where salsa lessons will be offered before an evening of socializing. The month wraps up with the final event, Noche De Toma Toda, which means “take everything.” It will feature a traditional game and scrumptious desserts.

Learn more from the latest episode of LumberChats, the podcast all about NAU.

Schedule of events

Sept. 13: 2-4 p.m. Identity & Diversity Scholar Ice Cream Social, IMQ Patio (Union Fieldhouse)

Sept. 18: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Diversity Dialogues: Intersecting Identities: First Gen and Latinx, IMQ Center

Sept. 21: 12-4 p.m. Flagstaff Taco Festival, Fort Tuthill

Sept. 25: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Diversity Dialogues: Mexican & Latina/o Immigration, Migration, and Labor, IMQ Center

Oct. 1: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Q’D Up: Jesse Quizar – Queer Migration and Border Crisis, IMQ Center

Oct. 2: 5:30-7 p.m. Rainbow Coalition Meeting, IMQ Center

Oct. 3: 5-8 p.m. Latinx Poetry Workshop & Slam, IMQ Center

Oct. 4: 10-11:30 a.m. Transparency Part 1, Havasupai Room C in University Union

             6-10 p.m. La Fiesta! – Latinx Heritage, International Pavilion

Oct. 8: 7-9 p.m. Afro Latinx Movie Night

Oct. 16: 6-9 p.m. Noche De Toma Todo, IMQ Center

The Office of Inclusion strives to maintain an inclusive campus community with programs and events that promote and educate everyone about cultural, gender and sexual diversity. For more information about these and future events, call (928) 523-5656.