Native American Student Engagement & Resources
Student Engagement
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.
The Maajtaadaa! Orientation is a three-day orientation is for all students and designed to support students who identify with as Native American - to welcome you to campus, help you connect with fellow students, faculty and staff and navigate the many campus and community resources available to you. It takes place prior to Transitions: New Student Orientation. This program is intentionally designed to create culturally-responsive and educational spaces for our diverse communities. Programming is open to students regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity.
The Mno’chigewin: Native Student Success Program (designed for students who identify as Native American) is designed to create an environment where students can achieve their full potential at GVSU while being their full, authentic selves. This program is open to all students and is a reflection of our values of inclusiveness and diversity and our core mission of student success.
August 31st: 137 North C - Fall kick off!
September 14th: 137 North C - Sweetgrass braiding
October 19th: 137 North C - Dorm Room Cooking
October 26th: 137 North C - Movie Night
November 16th: 137 North C - Basic Auto Care - FIELD TRIP!!
December 7th: 137 North C - End of Semester Celebration
As part of the MnoChigewin Programming, the Nwiijkiwenh Mentorship Program brings together our students with GVSU faculty and staff who are dedicated in serving our Indigenous population. We know that the more interactions a student has with those caring adults on campus, their rates of completion greatly increase. This is a great time where you will begin to grow relationships, build community, and have more people in your corner. We invite you to participate in this next step in building our Indigenous community here at Grand Valley State University. Different options exist to meet your schedule but we are flexible too, make sure and register early for this program!
The Native American Advisory Council (NAAC) hosts an annual graduation feast to celebrate the accomplishments and future endeavors of fall and winter semester graduates. Families and community members are invited to celebrate graduates and their contributions. As a gift for each graduate, the NAAC reserves a ceremonial cord for undergraduate students and a stole for graduate students to wear with their graduation regalia. Graduation 2023 Celebration will be held on April 27th, 2023 at the Paul A. Johnson Center, located in the Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Festivities will begin at 4PM, bring your cap/gown for the photographer we will have on-site.
Native American Student Association (NASA) is a registered Student Organization at Grand Valley State University dedicated to promoting Native American/Indigenous cultural awareness across the Allendale campus and surrounding community, as well as bringing attention to important broader Native American social issues. The organization is proud to have a diverse membership of both Native American and non-Native students. The organization is open to both undergrad and graduate students as well as GVSU faculty/staff.
Join any of our hundreds of student organizations, various programming teams, fraternity and sorority life, or participate in civic engagement and leadership opportunities!
Cultural Programming
Native American Heritage Celebration is the celebration of the history, culture, traditions and contributions of Native Americans. The celebration is recognized nationally every November, but the Native American Advisory Council believes we should always celebrate who we are. We will be hosting different events throughout the entire academic year. Please stay tuned.
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.