USU Blanding to Host Second Annual Weaving Our Stories Conference

BLANDING, Utah — Utah State University Blanding will host the second annual Weaving Our Stories Conference. The three-day conference will incorporate the theme “Building Community During Turbulent Times” throughout the presentations and activities.

The conference will be held Sept. 23-25 at the Blanding Arts & Event Center on the USU Blanding campus.

The goal of the conference is to bring together students, faculty, staff and community members to support, celebrate, and productively engage with Native American students and communities throughout the USU system and beyond.

The conference will provide participants with practical tools, fresh ideas, new perspectives, and meaningful connections they can use to positively impact their learning, teaching, relationships, and communities — both personally and collectively.

“As Utah’s only land-grant university, Utah State University holds a unique responsibility to provide education, research, and service not only to students on the Logan campus but also to communities throughout the state,” said Shannon Peterson, director of Global Learning in the College of Arts and Sciences, and executive committee chair. “In light of increasing challenges — including budget constraints and program reductions at both state and federal levels — the importance of strengthening and renewing community networks is more critical than ever. This is especially true in our efforts to support Native students, both on campus and across Utah, ensuring they remain connected, empowered, and well-served by the university’s mission.”

Meals will be provided on all days of the conference for those who register in advance. The conference is sponsored by the Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) program and USU Blanding.

“This conference serves as a vital forum—a lively, collaborative space—that brings together Native and non-Native American scholars, support staff, faculty, students, and community leaders from diverse academic and community backgrounds,” said Joao Bueno, NASNTI II Grant Director and member of the executive committee. “Here, amid turbulent and challenging times, we intentionally gather to weave our personal and shared experiences, listen to experts, and develop stronger, more connected pathways for our students. Our aim is not only to help students navigate the complexities they face but also to empower them to thrive and lead with resilience.”

On the first day, select conference participants will take a tour of Monument Valley to learn more about Native American culture and history as it pertains to Native American students. The next two days will consist of presentations, cultural entertainment and a Native American mental health forum.

The goal of this conference is to inspire and empower,” Peterson said. “We want every attendee — students, faculty, staff, and community members — to leave with a deeper appreciation for the rich and diverse cultural heritage of our state, region, and nation.”

For more information on the Weaving Our Stories Conference, how to register and how to apply for the scholarship to attend, visit statewide.usu.edu/blanding/nasnti/conference.