Welcome Indige-Lumberjacks!

NAU Land Acknowledgement Statement:Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

NACC 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Video

http:/https://vimeo.com/655458618

Celebrating a Decade of Culture and Inclusivity

The Native American Cultural Center (NACC) opened its doors to become a “Home Away from Home” for many in the NAU Community in October 2011. From its inception, the NACC has striven to support students and to educate the larger community on the histories, cultures, and issues facing Native American/Alaskan Native/ Native Hawaiian and Indigenous communities. The Native American Cultural Center was a dream 30 years in the making for the NAU and Flagstaff community. There were many people involved with the creation of the NACC, including tribal officials, two past NAU Presidents (Dr. Clara Lovett and Dr. John Haeger), and countless NAU students, faculty, and staff.

Northern Arizona University (NAU) aspires to be the nation’s leading university serving Native American/Alaskan and Hawaiian Native cultures – in fact, the university strategic plan states this as one of its goals. Building upon our historic engagement with Native American communities and students, we strive to enhance the future for Native American leadership, encourage strong communities, and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of our state and region. NAU attracts more than 1,500 Native American students from over 115 tribal nations throughout the country.

The Native American Cultural Center is a visible and celebrated facility located in the heart of NAUs Flagstaff campus, which creates a platform for Native American and Indigenous cultures, traditions, perspectives, and contributions. Through the center, students can interact with peers, seek academic support, and feel pride in their university involvement, whether they are on campus or linking to the university through extended campus programs. We believe the NACC impacts the lives of all of our students—improving their academic, social, and cultural experience, and opening new ideas and possibilities as they step into their future.

The 12,000 square foot facility houses activities that support student recruitment and retention, serving as a point of connection for Native and Indigenous groups and programs on campus and with Tribal communities. The center embodies Native values and symbolizes NAU’s commitment to Native Americans. Our main doors open to the east, greeting the sun every morning. Like many traditional Indigenous homes, the NACC has an opening in the center of the building. The NACC also hosts a Story Room, which is specifically designed to accommodate our students’ spiritual needs.

Office of Native American Initiatives

The Native American Cultural Center is one unit under the Office of Native American Initiatives (ONAI), which was established to support Northern Arizona University’s unique mission to become the leading university serving Native Americans.  ONAI is led by Interim Vice-President Ann Marie Chischilly. There are 5 units under the ONAI, including the NACC, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Institute for Native-Serving Educators, the Tribal Leadership Initiative, and Development.

ONAI seeks to make a substantial and enduring contribution to a new era in American Indian self-determination by:

• partnering with Native American communities
• collaborating with tribal colleges and universities
• contributing to a culture of support for Native American students
• building bridges to and from Indigenous-serving institutions across the globe.

Learn more about ONAIs work and initiatives on the ONAI webpage.

NACC Rooms

The NACC is operating on a reduced capacity currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NACC will NOT be accepting Room Reservations for the Summer (from May 9 to September 6, 2022), due to much needed repairs and maintenance. If you have any questions, please email us at NACCRooms@nau.edu.  Check back starting August 1, 2022 for the link to the NACC Room Reservation Form.

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Pattea A/B Combined Room

NACC Partners

Office of Indigenous Student Success

Applied Indigenous Studies

Center for American Indian Economic Development