On Oct. 11, we will mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day — honoring and recognizing the role of indigenous people in the long history of this land.
On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, UC Merced will host a ceremony and blessing of our new Toloma Grove reflection and memorial area. Toloma, which means bobcat in Miwuk, honors the Indigenous tribe of the Miwuk that lived on the land UC Merced is built on and the presence of our institution here now. And later this fall, a 5K run will raise funds and awareness for our expanding engagement with the scholarship of native affairs. We hope in future years to offer more programming bringing the experience of native cultural traditions to our campus community.
As the youngest, most diverse UC campus, we recognize that diversity and justice are essential components to world class scholarship and research. We must always look ahead as we continue to build the future, but we must always be cognizant of our history and the contributions of those who came before.
Thank you,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
