UTA Courtyard Marked Fourth Anniversary

The Native American Student Association celebrated the milestone alongside the debut of a new courtyard mural.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Native American

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Should local institutions prioritize Indigenous history through the creation of permanent cultural landmarks?

The Native American Student Association at the University of Texas at Arlington recently celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day and the fourth anniversary of the Land Acknowledgement Courtyard. The event also highlighted the installation of a new six-panel mural.

Why it matters

The courtyard was originally established to focus on native plants and provides a dedicated space for cultural reflection. The new mural honors this mission by incorporating botanical designs and star motifs into the site.

The mural consists of six painted panels that took seven months to design. Each panel was painted by a student in an art class led by professor Carlos Donjuan.

The players

Haley Greenfeather English

She is the artist who designed the new mural for the Land Acknowledgement Courtyard.

Carlos Donjuan

He is an associate professor whose art class produced the mural panels based on the original design.

Stephen Silva-Brave

He serves as the president of the Native American Student Association at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Native American Student Association

This student organization at the University of Texas at Arlington promotes indigenous culture and advocacy on campus.

The details

Artist Haley Greenfeather English designed the six-panel mural, which was installed over the summer. Associate professor Carlos Donjuan and his art students executed the design, which features native plants and five-pointed stars.

The mural was installed in the courtyard during the summer of 2026.
The anniversary celebration took place on October 12, 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader movement in higher education to formalize land acknowledgements through physical, permanent campus installations. It underscores a shift toward integrating indigenous heritage into university infrastructure rather than relying solely on verbal statements.

Residents and students visiting the university can now view the completed mural installation in the courtyard. The space remains open as a site for reflecting on native plant life and indigenous history.

The takeaway

Cultural landmarks help ground educational institutions in the specific history of the land they occupy. Visitors can look for similar public art installations on university campuses to better understand how student groups honor local indigenous traditions.