2026 and 2027 Events
August 23 | Welcome Social - Fireside Yard Games and Superior Pops Popsicles!
Join us for a fun and relaxing evening to kick off the school year! This is your chance to connect and unwind with fellow wildcats and get a taste of our campus community, all in a laid-back, outdoor setting. Connect with a ceremonial fire led by the Center for Native American Studies. Cool off with a Superior Pops popsicle. Jump in on yard games. Whether you are new to campus or want to connect with others, this is the place to be. Come as you are and stay for the treats, games, and good company.
Never been to the CNAS Firesite or simply want walking buddies? Join the WellBeing Peer Educators outside by the Wildcat Fit Zone (between the Woods and Quad) at 5:45pm (look for the WellBeing flag), and we will walk you over to the site. For commuters, we recommend parking in lot 17 by Whitman Hall.
Open to all NMU students. Free treats and activities while supplies last. Popsicles sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success.
File Attachments: CNAS_Firesite_Location_on_Map
Food Provided (Popsicles made by Superior Pops, sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success, while supplies last.)
August 24 | Anishinaabe Welcoming Gathering Event
Join NMU in welcoming our campus community to Anishinaabe homelands as we kick off the academic year together. This gathering brings together incoming and returning students, faculty, and staff for an afternoon of song, dance, food, and connection.
The event opens with smudging and offerings, followed by a big drum song by the Teal Lake Singers, remarks and a land acknowledgment, and a welcome to Anishinaabe homelands from community leaders. We'll close with side-step dancing and food for attendees. No experience necessary, as everyone is welcome to join.
Food Provided (Seasonal Vegetable Crudité — Fresh vegetables served with herb dip; Salmon Teriyaki Skewer; Mini Quiche; Assorted Garlicky Mushroom; Vegan Stuffed Redskin Potato Skins — Stuffed with bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onion; Lemonade)
July 27-31: BIPOC Outdoors Summit, 5K, and Rest Retreat at Northern Michigan University
Join us for the BIPOC Outdoors Summit and Rest Retreat @ NMU — a gathering that brings together outdoor enthusiasts, community builders, and those seeking restoration and inspiration.
While these events center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor spaces, everyone is welcome to attend and help create a more inclusive, healing, and joyful outdoor community.
Find out more by clicking this link!
2025 and 2026 Events
August 4-8
The BIPOC Outdoors Summit and Rest Retreat @ NMU brought together outdoor enthusiasts, community builders, and those seeking restoration and inspiration for a meaningful gathering centered on connection, nature, and rest. While the events focused on uplifting the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor spaces, everyone was welcome to participate in creating a more inclusive, healing, and joyful outdoor community.
Whether attendees hoped to build new skills, connect with others, or simply pause and recharge, the Summit and Rest Retreat provided intentional spaces to reconnect with nature, with community, and with oneself.
We were grateful to welcome everyone during the summer of 2026.
August 25: Anishinaabe Welcoming Gathering
This event offered our campus community an opportunity to connect and be welcomed to the Anishinaabe homelands on which Northern Michigan University is built. The Anishinaabe Welcoming Gathering, held at the Waino Wahtera Pavilion on Monday, August 25th at 3 PM, brought students, faculty, and staff together in a spirit of gratitude and community.
Following the conclusion of Fall Fest, the powerful drum sounds of the Teal Lake Singers signaled the moment for us to gather, share space, and recognize the pavilion as a place for learning, healing, connection, and understanding.
Attendees came together to connect, learn, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that is an integral part of our NMU community. The gathering served as a meaningful way to begin the academic year and helped foster a strong sense of belonging across campus.
This event was organized in collaboration with the Native American Student Association, the Center for Native American Studies, and the Office of Opportunity, Empowerment & People, with partial funding from the King-Chavez-Parks grant.
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth, an important moment in American history, represents resilience, freedom, and civic progress. Celebrating Juneteenth in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) provided an opportunity to acknowledge Black history, recognize cultural contributions, and foster historical awareness within our community.
The Celebration will feature engaging activities, free giveaways, a pride month celebration, and opportunities for community connection.
January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
This year’s theme highlights the power of service to move us forward. Every small action, tying a blanket, writing a letter, packing food, adds up to meaningful change. Together, we can bring hope and relief to our neighbors during the long U.P. winter.
September 25: Indigenous Perspectives Symposium on Medicines
Northern Michigan University (NMU) is proud to announce this year's Indigenous Perspectives Symposium on Medicines, a one-day event dedicated to honoring the robust and multifaceted ways Indigenous Peoples understand, use, and steward medicines across generations. The symposium will be held on Friday, September 25th, 2026, at NMU's Northern Center in Marquette, Michigan.
The symposium aims to bring together Indigenous leaders, elders, knowledge keepers, academics, and community members to share insights on topics ranging from traditional harvesting and sustainable land stewardship to food sovereignty and decolonization. Through a series of presentations, workshops, and communal meals, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the vital connection between food, culture, and identity in Indigenous communities.
