By Mia McCauley, Student Intern
This November, the UW-Madison campus is called to reflect and reconnect with teachings that have shaped Indigenous life across generations.
This year’s Native November, guided by the theme “Live the Teachings as We Are Meant To,” honors the wisdom of those who came before and considers the impact of those yet to come.
The celebration includes the Seventh Generation Principle, which holds that “all decisions made in the present should result in a better world—not just today or tomorrow, but seven generations from now.” (UW Native November 2025)
At the heart of this reflection is the Indigenous Student Center (ISC), a space where students can connect with one another, share experiences, and strengthen their cultural identity and traditions through various events and activities.
Organized by the Indigenous Student Center Coalition (ISCC), Native November 2025 includes a vibrant Indigenous People’s Day Powwow Showcase highlighting traditional songs and dances, keynote performances by Wisconsin-based band Bizhiki (Ojibwe for “little buffalo”), and a series of Native November Law Symposiums exploring legal challenges facing Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Student Center Coalition’s programs are grounded in collaboration. They remind the UW–Madison community that living these teachings is not just a theme, but a way of being.
Victoria Kahite (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), program coordinator, explains: “In Ojibwemowin, ‘Mino-bimaadiziwin’ carries a deep meaning. Mino translates to good or balanced– in relation to self, relatives, and the environment. Bimaadiziwin means life. Together, the phrase speaks to living life in a good way, guided by respect, honor, and truth. The concept of living the teachings is inseparable across many traditions. Through Native November programming, we want to offer space to reflect on teachings and to learn how values such as love, humility, courage, and truth continue to guide life and community.”
Given the rich diversity of the UW-Madison Indigenous community, the Indigenous Student Center strives to make campus a place where all Indigenous identities are celebrated. Each Native November 2025 event invites students to consider how traditional principles continue to show up in the present, shaping connection and identity on campus.
However, this legacy goes beyond just the month of November. As intern, Kalista Cadotte (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) explains, “this theme is more than just a theme. It’s a concept that is ingrained in our everyday lives. As Native peoples, we recognize who came before us, and who we are as people. The theme, ‘Live the Teachings as We Are Meant to,’ allows us to explore the integration of our everyday campus lives and the overlap with our personal beliefs and ways of living.”
Indigenous presence and values are not confined to history or the past, Native November logo designer, Elicia Leonard (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin), reminds students. “As an Indigenous student, I hope the campus community understands that our teachings aren’t just things we look back on, they’re ways we actively live and move through the world. This month is about more than celebration; it’s a time to reflect on the values that have guided our people for generations, like the Seventh Generation Principle or the teachings of our Elders. I hope people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, take time to really listen, learn, and carry those lessons forward.”
For more information about the Indigenous Student Center, visit their homepage. Additional information about Native November and event details can be found here.