SUBJECT:

Inaugural California Native American Day at UC San Diego

It gives me great pleasure to announce the Inaugural California Native American Day at UC San Diego. This past year I met with representatives of North County tribal nations to learn more about their fascinating history, their many contributions to California, their areas of interest, and to identify how UC San Diego can help to enhance their lives. The meeting established collaborations between the University and San Diego's Native American community which led to the formation of a committee representing local tribes, UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos to coordinate our inaugural California American Indian Day Celebration at UC San Diego.

A sampling of this year's activities include:

Thursday, September 28:

12 noon, California Indian Day Kick-Off at the Sun God Lounge, Price Center. Local tribal leaders will offer a traditional blessing for the event.

Friday, September 29:

12 noon, Price Center Plaza. Pala Bird Singers. Men sing with gourd rattles and often men and women dance in accompaniment. Ceremonial songs, traditional songs, bird songs, and a style of social singing will be presented. Bird songs are shared from family to family, group to group, and tribe to tribe, covering the region from Santa Barbara to the Mojave Desert. The Pala Bird Singers sing in Cupeņo and Luiseņo, "Pala" style.

For more information on the Inaugural California Native American Day celebration, visit the web site at http://diversity.ucsd.edu. Sponsors for the event are the UCSD American Indian Faculty and Staff Association, California Cultures in Comparative Perspective, Cross-Cultural Center, Early Academic Outreach Program, Education Studies Program, Ethnic Studies Department, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs, Rady School of Management, UCSD Staff Council, UCSD Bookstore, University Communications, and Student Educational Advancement.

In recognition of this annual event, I am approving one hour of administrative leave with pay that employees may apply to their attendance at an Inaugural California Native American Day Celebration activity. Supervisors are encouraged to allow employees one hour of administrative leave with pay to attend one or more of the planned celebratory events, when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties.

At this time I would like to thank the members of the Inaugural California Native American Day Celebration Planning Committee for their time and effort to coordinate these educational and celebratory campus events and activities.

Join me in honoring the heritage, culture, and traditions of our Native American tribes and thank you for supporting California Native American Day at UC San Diego.

Marye Anne Fox Chancellor