Bemidji State University’s American Indian Resource Center held its annual Day of Welcome on Aug. 24, the center’s traditional kickoff celebration for a new academic year.

The event opened with a traditional pipe ceremony and honor song, with a welcome from AIRC Executive Director Bill Blackwell, Jr. The welcome featured honor songs from the Kingbird Singers, a pipe ceremony officiated by Dr. Anton Treuer, BSU professor of languages and indigenous studies, and flute by Kevin Locke. BSU President Dr. Faith Hensrud also spoke at the ceremony.