Sacramento State kicked off the celebration of Native American Day by having a breakfast in the University Union Ballroom.

At the breakfast, Connie Reitmann, executive director of the Inter-Tribal Council of California, Inc., spoke about remembering our culture and the cultures around us.

“It’s important to outreach and to build a relationship that is sustainable,” Reitmann said. “Sustainability is really important in any kind of effort.”

The event had faculty and former students speak about the Native American community and how all can learn and grow from knowing about them.

“A lot of the challenges the Native Peoples face is the lack of recognition and understanding,” said Mikela Jones, a Sac State alumna. “Whether you are native or non native, to take time to learn about the people who were originally from here is essentially saying thank you to them.”

Jones expressed that learning from all cultures can help to build respect, peace, love and interaction.

After a Native American prayer, members of the Kashaya Pomo community performed a few of the native bird dances.

The events continue throughout the day with a ceremony at the California State Capitol, as well as a ceremony held in the Sacramento State Multi-Cultural Center.

“In the coming weeks, we will be holding a series of forums, conferences, town halls, and events on our campus,” said Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen, in an open address to campus sent out September 23. “We also are establishing a webpage to include all upcoming campus activities involving these efforts.”