University of Idaho’s Native American Student Center (NASC) and the related cultural organization, the Native American Student Association (NASA), provide a beacon of support to native-identifying UI students.
The center and NASA work together to provide an array of services to Native and tribal students who may be struggling academically, socially and culturally.
“We’re trying to be the transition from high school and life on a reservation to a university and away from family and the reservation,” Mary James, the NASA president, said. “Basically, you’re removing Native American students from their support system that they’ve had their whole life and putting them in unknown territory. NASA is a great organization for Native American students to get that support and family connection again.”
NASC provides resources like tribal networking, academic tutoring and financial advising while NASA, which is open to any student interested in getting involved in Native American culture and issues, enriches student experience through biweekly meetings and regular social events.
November was Native American Heritage Month. Normally, events from lectures to workshops and other gatherings, would be held in person. This year, NASC and NASA worked with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Tribal Relations to present offerings over Zoom instead. Earlier, on October 11, also known as Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day, NASC hosted a presentation with insight on the history of the date.
“It starts with the state recognizing Indigenous People’s Day,” Dakota Kidder, NASC program coordinator, said. “The City of Moscow was the first city in Idaho to recognize it, officially. For the university, I’m not sure if they just go along with the city, but one thing that the university does, especially through the Office of Tribal Relations, is (it) established land acknowledgement, acknowledging the land on which the University of Idaho Moscow campus sits. I think that’s one way the university contributes to the education for our communities,”
Popular events which NASA and NASC host include Tribal Nations Night, a collaboration between UI Athletics, NASA, NASC and the Office of Tribal Relations, and the Tutxinmepu Powwow, which translates to “the place where the deer loses its spots” in the Nez Perce language, in April. James said everyone, regardless of heritage, is encouraged to attend the Powwow.
“It’s a visual and artistic representation or our native culture and our strengths and our resiliency,” James said. “I think it’s amazing that we can bring the Tutxinmepu Powwow to UI, to a westernized education system where there’s not that much diversity. Having a place to hold our Powwow every year is something super powerful.”
James wasn’t sure if the Powwow or any other events will be held this year due to COVID-19. NASA and NASC are still available as resources for UI students regardless.
“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for (NASA and NASC’s support),” James said. “Being at UI and having NASC and NASA was the best support system I’ve ever had, second to my friends and my family I had back home. I am where I am today from their support and their help.”
Carter Kolpitcke can be reached at [email protected].