FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pikes Peak State College Honors Native American Heritage Month with Events Across Multiple Campuses
Colorado Springs, CO — November 6, 2025 — Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) invites the community to celebrate Native American Heritage Month throughout November with a series of events recognizing the history, resilience and contributions of First Nations Peoples. These events include culinary experiences with renowned Native chefs, traditional dances, and cultural expressions. The press is invited to these events and is encouraged to invite the public. 

“Native American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the deep roots of Indigenous culture in this region,” says Maria delaCruz, Associate Dean of Business, Technology and Public Service Division. “These events invite all of us to listen, learn, and celebrate the diverse voices that enrich our college and community.”

Last year, PPSC publicly released a Land Acknowledgement statement, part of which states, “The Ute, the Cheyenne, the Arapaho and many other First Nations People have unique relationships with this land and nearby land formations revered as sacred. We recognize and respect the continuous presence of First Nations People in the shadow of the mountain for which Pikes Peak State College is named. Together, we celebrate and honor the historical and contemporary contributions of Native Americans to Colorado Springs’ thriving culture.”

PPSC is committed to honoring First Nations People and serving First Nations students on their academic journey. The Land Acknowledgement statement is one part of that commitment. 

PPSC’s First Nations Promise Program supports the educational attainment of Native American federal or state tribal members. This initiative is designed to provide substantial financial aid and comprehensive support to Native students, ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable for the Native American community. To learn more about the First Nations Promise Program, visit pikespeak.edu/first-nations. 

PPSC invites the press and the public to participate in the following Native American Heritage Month activities. 

Indigenous Culinary Experience with Chef Virgil Weil | Wed, Nov. 12 | 10:30–1:30 pm | Centennial, Grove
Join Chef Virgil Weil (Diné), former Executive Sous Chef for the 2024 Paris Olympics, for a live culinary demonstration and conversation celebrating Indigenous cuisine, tradition and resilience.

Native American Extravaganza | Thu, Nov. 20 | 11 am–2 pm | Centennial, Atrium, Grove & C200
Celebrate Native culture with traditional dance presentations and PPSC’s Land Acknowledgement. Support Native food and craft vendors at the Native Market.

Food Sovereignty: Indigenous Resilience | Mon, Nov. 24 | 11 am–12 pm | Downtown, Learning Commons
Join us for a discussion on Indigenous knowledge of food systems, sustainability and the importance of returning to ancestral practices.

Friends-Sharing Potluck | Tues, Nov. 25 | 3–6 pm | Rampart, Atrium
Gather for food, community and remembrance. This event honors the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre and includes a traditional blessing from a Sand Creek descendant. Attendees are invited to bring food to share, especially in support of students experiencing food insecurity.

PPSC encourages all students, staff and community members to participate in these events as part of a shared commitment to inclusion, respect and cultural understanding.

About Pikes Peak State College (PPSC):
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate 
degrees, certificates in career and technical fields and four bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, 
various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC 
provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.

Media Contact:
Rachel Tyrrell BS, BA
Content Coordinator in Marketing and Communications at Pikes Peak State College
Mobile: 719-715-3297
Email: rachel.tyrrell@pikespeak.edu
Pronouns: she/her