Palomar College announced that its American Indian Studies and NSPIRE Program celebrated California Native American Day on Thursday. During the event, students honored the rich history, cultures, and contributions of California Native Americans, highlighting their stories, traditions, and resilience.
In 1968, California Tribal Leaders and then-Governor Ronald Reagan declared the fourth Friday of September as “California Indian Day.”
Today, those who observe the day use it as an opportunity to celebrate Native American history, contributions, and achievements in the United States, particularly in California.
California State University, Sacramento, in conjunction with California tribal leaders, announced the grand opening of the University’s new Native American College on September 24.
Wileety launched this fall semester as the first college of its kind in California, welcoming 34 undergraduate students representing 25 tribal nations from across the United States.
The college is open to all students interested in learning about Native American culture, values, and governance.
University faculty, as well as Native American dignitaries, tribal leaders, and state officials, attended the celebration.
The event acknowledged California’s troubled past with Indigenous tribes while looking forward to a promising future.
Wileety Native American College, named after the Miwok term meaning “to bloom, to be bright, to shine,” aims to prepare students to become successful leaders through a community and culturally based education.
California Native American Day has announced it will host its 58th annual event on Friday, September 26.
The event is presented by the California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association and sponsored by the California Native American Legislative Caucus. The association consists of tribal leaders who collaborate to promote, improve, and advocate for the protection of natural and cultural resources, the health and wellness of Native peoples, education, and economic development.
This year’s theme is “Walking In Their Footsteps: Carrying Forward the Legacy,” honoring the generations of Native peoples whose strength, wisdom, and resilience have shaped America.
The agenda will feature a tribal nations flag ceremony, a pledge of allegiance, cultural sharing, and the honoring of elders and veterans, along with the presentation of gifts from elders and pins from veterans.
Native American Day is celebrated on the fourth Friday of September each year, which falls on September 26 this year, as a way to honor those who have been part of the American tradition since before the nation’s formation.
This day celebrates the distinctive culture of Native Americans.
Native American Day is observed in several U.S. states to commemorate the rich cultural heritage of Native Americans. In California and Nevada, the holiday occurs on the fourth Friday of September, while in South Dakota and Wisconsin, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October.
On September 30, many Native Americans will wear orange to remember the 150,000 Indigenous children who were taken from their families, communities, and cultures.
🎉 Join us for Palomar College’s California Native American Day Celebration! Enjoy food, drinks, and celebrate our rich history! 📅 Sept 25, 11 AM – 1 PM @ Student Union. #NativeAmericanDay #PalomarCollege pic.twitter.com/jHxxv9A4Be
— Palomar College (@palomarcomets) September 25, 2025
Today we celebrate the grand opening of the Wileety Native American College — the first of its kind at a CSU that will provide a Native based cohort educational experience for students.
“Wileety” pronounced “Wuh-lehh-too” is a Miwok term that means “To Bloom, To be Bright, To… pic.twitter.com/hKd1dAslvS
— Sacramento State (@sacstate) September 24, 2025
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