Flags from around the world hung on lamp posts from Michigan Tech’s campus entrance to downtown Houghton for the Parade of Nations, celebrating our local international population. The morning of Sep. 20, the First Nations led the parade consisting of over 50 national identities, many of whom were wearing their finest traditional attire, down to the Multicultural Festival at the Dee Stadium. The parade was sectioned by continents and included community groups such as the Michigan Tech Pep Band. There were entertainment events provided by local ethnic groups such as the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and Finnish Dancers, which highlight this region’s historical link to diverse communities beyond English settlement. This event offers a taste of home, both literally and figuratively, as food was sold by a variety of groups, including but not limited to the African Student Association, German Club, and Iranian Community.
A major organizer of the parade and an International Programs & Services staff member, Mariana Nakashima, remarks that “seeing the international students’ faces of happiness” is the highlight of every year’s program and that this event’s welcome of “international students to our community and the community to…our cultural richness” is what makes this event so special and important.
Faculty Advisor of the Bangladeshi Student Association (BSA), Robert Hutchinson, expresses a similar sentiment, saying that he “[knows] how much it means, especially to newly arrived international students, to march through the streets of town, in their traditional dress, waving their flags and banners, and seeing how joyfully they are received by everyone. The love of the entire community is truly felt, and it sets the tone for years to come. We love our international Huskies and they feel it.” Hutchinson credits the reason why Michigan Tech has such “a large, vibrant, and growing community of scholars…from one of the warmest, most densely populated regions of the world,” moving here to “one of the most remote, and snowy places” to the “love and warmth” coming from this university. He adds that being BSA faculty advisor has been “one of [his] greatest joys and honor”.
A poster of Honorary Grand Marshal Briana “Bre” Wakeham was carried by both her husband and father in order to honor the work she’s done for the Parade of Nations before her passing in October of last year.
This year’s winning logo design for the theme “Games Around the World” was designed by Graciana Wagner from Lake Linden High School and placed on the official 2025 Parade of Nations stickers, pins, and marketing materials. The theme was also incorporated into the Interactive International Trivia and floats. (Shoutout to the Indian Student Association for winning Best Float!) Also celebrated was Carter Worm from Calumet High School, the essay contest scholarship recipient, for his reflections on diversity as a local Copper County high school graduate.
