Native American Student Association at Grand Valley State University

Save the date! GVSU 2024 powwow scheduled for April 13th & 14th at the fieldhouse. Hope to see you there!

Our ancestors, in their hundreds of treaties, have always demanded access to education for our children. For a long period of time, this education took the form of Boarding Schools; government ran systems of oppression, trauma, and violence that has had a long hard impact to our community and will continue to have an impact as we begin the healing journey. Part of the healing journey, is sharing and learning history from the perspectives of Turtle Island's first stewards. Melissa Isaac, MSA, citizen of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has forged her path advocating and fighting for our youth to be able to thrive within the colonial education structures. She is now a State of Michigan employee as the Gizhwaasod: Protector of the Young for the Department of Education. Prior to that, she advocated as President of the Confederated Michigan Tribal Education Departments (CMTED) while she served her community as the tribal education director.

INT 100/201 Approved!

Please join us as we welcome Hon. Allie Maldonado, citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to Grand Valley State University. Hon. Maldonado, as seen in the documentary, Warrior Lawyers, will be sharing with us, her journey to becoming an attorney, overcoming the intergeneration trauma of the Boarding School era, to become the State of Michigan's first Anishinaabekwe (Native American woman) to be appointed as judge to the Michigan Court of Appeals. She will share her experiences serving her community for many years, and how her work makes a significant impact on our citizens as well as the importance of having diversity sitting on the bench. This event will take place on our downtown campus, Richard M. Devos Center's Loosemoore Auditorium.

INT 100/201 Approved!

Aho! Save the Date!

22nd Annual Celebrating All Walks of Life Powwow
April 15th & 16th, 2023.

Saturday Grand Entry: 12 and 5 PM
Sunday Grand Entry: 1 PM

At Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse
Allendale, MI

Pow Wow is a community gathering and celebration of culture through ceremony, song, dance, feasting and socializing. Traditional Pow Wows include invited Elders, Veterans and other honored guests to perform and participate in the celebration. At a Pow Wow, you can expect a series of activities including dancers, drummers, singers, vendors, and food. All while maintaining a central core in a traditional ceremony.

We would really appreciate some more volunteers! You could click the link below if you would like to volunteer!

https://www.gvsu.edu/powwow/volunteer-sign-up-13.htm

Want to Sponsor? Powwow Sponsor Sign-up link is below.

https://www.gvsu.edu/powwow/donations-2.htm

FIRST AMERICAN: Hopi/Navajo Runner Was 1st American to Finish 2023 LA Marathon Just after he finished the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, Hosava Kretzmann was told by a marathon official that he was the first American and sixth person to cross the finish line. He could hardly believe it.

Three Fires Teaching Lodge Constructed on Grand Valley State University Campus ALLENDALE, Mich. – Some three dozen Native American students and community members spent their time and energy this weekend building a traditional Three Fires teaching lodge at the Grand Valley State University campus in Allendale, Mich.

Today was a great first day of Indigi-Fest 2022. Miigwetch to all of our presenters, vendors, dancers, informative stations and community members. For some of us it was the first time we have shared space together since summer of 2019, it was a grand reunion. We have lost some loved ones, but today was a great day of storytelling, laughing, and learning. Chii-Miigwetch!

“Better hurry den.”- Auntie

There’s still time to register for Protect the Sacred’s 2021 Native Youth Summit. You’re not gonna wanna miss this lineup and that’s on Grandma’s frybread. We’re talking Frank Waln, Kinsale Hueston, Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), and much more!

Open to all Native youth 16-25 years old! Register at: https://forms.gle/no8ezGgBntD3F3sq8

Check out the events GVSU will be hosting for Native American Herriage Month! The first will be a water ceremony followed by a river clean-up; next Monday, September 13, starting at 4:30. Click the link to see more event details and to rsvp.

https://www.gvsu.edu/oma/native-american-heritage-celebration-20.htm

Native American Heritage Celebration - Multicultural Affairs - Grand Valley State University The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive campus. Through its comprehensive programs and services, OMA fosters an appreciation and respect for the history, tradition, and culture of different ethnic groups,

A great start to the new school year!

New students participating in Laker Connections find immediate communities Hundreds of diverse students who participated in Laker Connection orientations immediately found communities on campus.

Here is the list of our February events, message us if you'd like the zoom link.

Sorry for the short notice everyone, here is a great event if you're free tomorrow from 7-8. The registration link is attached below if you're interested.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fncmclifelonglearning.com%2Fevent-4071663%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR05dVUH7ElqyXYHHQcmHlKaf25O6zudhSw_7ks0s8J-KYdkqBI8CiKUcBo&h=AT1eU0yMnEVcaXBfIcAYPG1Ip-JSO6iiXdwyo_CoHA4eonA5QWYXV2DHaYCZG4NxivYL_bO5s1CwOc7XiRhkcLKNmM5JESNrcfht6R0yXVfspfV6Uu268wq0NUzLVUXB2KtN8QpNinieQbnOUDk

North Central Michigan College Corporate and Community Education Department - History of Odawa Leadership The Odawa of Northern Michigan have experienced many difficulties and challenges throughout history, including fighting in multiple wars and avoiding forced removal from Michigan. Leadership has been critical in the Odawa persevering through these trying times. This talk will explore some of the Oda...

Tuesday, December 8, from 4-5:30 p.m. there will be a virtual viewing of Mino-Bimaadiziwin, a short film by GVSU alumni Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby. If you would like to join the registration link is attached below.
https://www.gvsu.edu/oma/native-american-heritage-celebration-20.htm

Aani! Please check this event out! 😁

Check out our October events! 🍂🎃 message us for a zoom link if interested!

Aaniin everyone, with recent events on campus and in the world, the Native American Student Association supports and stands behind Black students, and the Black and Afro-Indigenous community. The fight against systemic racism is one that has been fought for centuries, and is caused by extreme ignorance and racist behavior. We have a lot of work to do to combat anti-Blackness in our own Indigenous communities, and we must do our part in dismantling systems that uphold racist and prejudice actions and ideologies. We send our condolences to all the Black lives taken too soon, and thoughts to all Black students who had to experience recent events in a space that was meant to be safe. We are here to amplify the voices of all Black students and to serve at any capacity. Please take the time to listen to Black voices and perspectives. You can access anti-racism and mental health assistance resources below. All Black Lives Matter. Chi miigwech.

Counseling Center:
https://www.gvsu.edu/counsel/

Anti-Racism Daily:
https://instagram.com/antiracismdaily?igshid=1x44tq9by9n8m

Black & Indigenous Solidarity:
https://www.amnesty.ca/blog/black-and-indigenous-solidarity-against-systemic-racism

The BIPOC Project:
https://www.thebipocproject.org

The BIPOC Project The BIPOC Project aims to build authentic and lasting solidarity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), in order to undo Native invisibility, anti-Blackness, dismantle white supremacy and advance racial justice.

Aaniin, the Native American Student Association will be hosting gatherings online every Tuesday at 6pm on Zoom. The Zoom link will be the same for each gathering: https://gvsu-edu.zoom.us/j/92128031524
Below are our September dates and topics.
All are welcome :)

Aaniin everyone, we will be attending the virtual Laker Involvement Fair (Campus Life Night) tomorrow Saturday, August 29th from 6pm-8pm. Please join our zoom call to get involved: https://gvsu-edu.zoom.us/j/93435719457

The Native Justice Coalition is hosting two virtual conversations in the coming weeks on racial justice and Two-Spirit identity.

You can register here -https://www.nativejustice.org/conversations

Member Highlight: Brook Lipponen is majoring in Integrative, Religious and Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Social Justice Communication. They are from the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Bawating. They are actively involved with NASA, serve on the e-board, and do so much to advocate for indigenous students. We are proud of you niijii

Congratulations to Brooklyn Lipponen who was selected as the Excellence in Discipline Award winner for Integrative Studies!

"My degree in Integrative Studies has been meaningful for me as I was able to create a degree that I was passionate about and that would help me facilitate change for marginalized communities. My goal is to do work that benefits my Anishnaabe community and other Indigenous communities. With that said, moving ahead as I graduate, I know that this degree is going to help me do that work and I feel extremely confident because of the knowledge I’ve gained and because of how supportive my advisor and professors have been."

Aani! We hope you are all well and safe. We are encouraging GVSU students to enroll in Dr. Riley Mukavetz’s INT 380: Anishinaabek Lifeways course. Please share this post to get the word out. You may also sign up for this course if you are not currently a student but interested! Let us know how we can assist you if you have questions about the course or how to enroll.

Art by Alan Compo 😁

UPDATE ON GVSU 2020 ALL WALKS OF LIFE POWWOW:

I am saddened to say the 2020 All Walks of Life powwow set for April 4th and April 5th is canceled. We are looking into rescheduling but will keep all of you updated. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.

Chi miigwetch,
Native American Student Association

Aaniin everyone, all scheduled NASA events until April 1st are canceled.

A section of the email sent to GV students this evening in case any students have questions or need housing:

“Students – classes, housing and employment:
Students are encouraged to return to their permanent place of residence as soon as possible. This allows for social distancing as instructed by the Centers for Disease Control. Housing and Residence Life will support students who do not have a permanent or alternative residence by providing housing and dining on campus during this period. If you are in need of assistance, please call (616) 331-2120.

We also have a phoneline to answer other questions: (616) 331-INFO (331-4636).“

Please stay safe. Chi miigwetch,
Native American Student Association

NASA e-board met on FaceTime for the first time ever tonight 🤓😂

“ANNOUNCMENT: 2020 Anishinaabe Student Leadership Camp is now open for enrollment. Catch one of the 20 open spots! Application and more information can be found on the website! Miigwetch” -Belinda Lin Bardwell

https://www.facebook.com/1343749993/posts/10221821956801799/?d=n

Anishinaabe Student Leadership Camp - Multicultural Affairs - Grand Valley State University The Anishinaabe Student Leadership Camp at Grand Valley State University offers Native American/North American Indigenous high schools students an opportunity to build their future as leaders. This camp promotes cultural learning, preparation for college and a unique experience on GVSU’s campus.

Aaniin everyone, we are looking for volunteers for this years All Walks of Life Powwow at Grand Valley State University Saturday, April 4th to Sunday, April 5th. All shifts are paid (differs per shift). This is a great opportunity to gain volunteer hours. https://forms.gle/AmP14xRjGUW8gz167

VOLUNTEERS 2020 GVSU POW WOW All volunteers will have the choice to choose a $24 credit to their financial aid account or a $24 dining card for a 7 hour shift and $15 for a 4 hour shift. Meals and snacks will be provided for all volunteers. Please inform Natasha of any dietary restrictions A Pow Wow is a community gathering and...