The Native Student Alliance (NSA) celebrated Indigenous People’s Day last Monday’s on Columbus day to celebrate their unique culture and bring recognition of their presence to campus.
Beginning a series of events planned by NSA to engage students during Native American Heritage Month, November will also see an NSA hosted skate jam and a film screening later in the month.
Stationed in front of Sturm Hall last Monday, NSA celebrated Indigenous People’s Day to focus on the Native perseverance on Columbus day instead of the negative effects of colonialism.
“[NSA] had a bake sale with information to try and educate people on who Columbus really was, but using his own words,” said faculty advisor and Native American literature Professor Billy Stratton about the event.
“Their purpose was to be present on DU’s campus and say ‘Native people are here, and that should be recognized.’”
Professor Stratton is an assistant professor of Indigenous Studies and Native American literature with a doctorate from the University of Arizona.
The NSA works to bridge gaps between minority
student groups and other organizations on campus.The mission of the NSA is to incorporate traditional ties from every Native American tribe represented on campus and to educate students about Native culture and history.
Co-presidents Julia Bramante, a junior majoring in biochemistry and Amanda Williams, a junior majoring in psychology, encourage participation in NSA events by students.
“Native students’ identity isn’t always addressed in their community,” said Williams. “The idea of student alliances is to create a comfortable space for anyone that wants to contribute. We’re here to educate people and just hang out with everybody.”
The NSA welcomes students of all backgrounds to attend their meetings every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Center for Multicultural Excellence. According to Bramante, they plan events and bring the members together into a “comfort zone.”
Their additional events will take place on Nov. 9 when NSA hosts a skate jam with the first Native-owned skateboard company, Apache Skateboards.
Created by Douglas Miles and based out of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona, Apache Skateboards travels the country doing street demos and hosting contests. Miles also designs skateboards that meld pop culture and cutting-edge Native American motifs.
Another event on Nov. 14 will partner with the Queer Straight Alliance for a screening of the movie “Two Spirits,” which incorporates LGBT orientation with perspectives on Native American culture.
The U.S. currently has 566 distinct tribes of Native Americans registered. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the number of American Indian/Alaska Native students in United States postsecondary education has more than doubled since 1980.
“At the turn of the 20th century, the prevalent opinion was that Native Americans, whose numbers were dwindling at about 250,000 would become extinct,” said Stratton. “I want to bring the Native Student Alliance more recognition.”
