Oct. 11, 2024, marks the 20th collaboration between the U of A and the City of Fayetteville to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day citywide. This year's observation will begin with refreshments and an open mic at the Arkansas Union, followed by a commemorative walk to the Trail of Tears Memorial site, where Mayor Lioneld Jordan will issue the 2024 Indigenous People of the America's Day proclamation. He'll be joined by artist Gaby Nagle (Eastern Band Cherokee), who will provide a musical performance.

Campus community and members of the public are welcome to attend and participate in activities beginning on the South Terrace of the Arkansas Union at 11:30 a.m. with refreshments. At noon, there will be remarks and readings by the Native American Student Association, Indigenous Employee Resource Group, Native American Student Services and the Center for Multicultural Education. Attendees are welcome to join the open mic by sharing a reading, poem or quote of their choice (in the public domain) by an Indigenous author. Attendees may also share their own original work with a priority given to Indigenous students, staff and faculty.

At 1:20 p.m., leaders will coordinate and guide an approximately 0.8 mile walk from the south side of the Arkansas Union to the site of the Trail of Tears Historical Marker on the northwest corner of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and Stadium Drive. The park and historical marker denote the location where approximately 1,200 Cherokee people made camp on Jan. 13, 1839, on their route west to what was then Indian Territory. Known as the Benge Detachment, this was only one of many groups of Cherokee and other Tribal nations forced out of their homelands through the state of Arkansas. Participants in the commemorative walk are asked to bring water and protection from the sun. Those who would like to participate and have accessibility concerns, please contact organizers in advance so that accommodations can be arranged.

Jordan will be on site at the historical marker to provide the 20th consecutive Indigenous People of the Americas Day proclamation at 2 p.m. The event will conclude with Native American flute selections performed by Fayetteville resident Gaby Nagel. Attendees are invited to enjoy the site and safely make their way back to central campus or their next destination. Garden beds near the marker have recently been redesigned by Muscogee citizen Mallory Stinnett, with support from volunteers and a donation of native plants from the Arkansas Master Naturalists. The redesign is an ongoing project of the Native American Student Services internship program.