For information about NAU's Native American Heritage Month events happening in November, please visit in.nau.edu/NAHM.
Welcome
Northern Arizona University (NAU) seeks to become the premier institution dedicated to serving Native American and Indigenous Peoples. In pursuit of this transformative mission, the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) was established to implement holistic and systemic change.
ONAIA advances Native American & Indigenous self-determination by:
- Fostering a culture that supports Native American and Indigenous students, staff, and faculty
- Building respectful, reciprocal partnerships with Native American Nations and Indigenous communities
- Collaborating closely with Tribal colleges/universities
- Creating pathways that connect Indigenous-serving institutions around the world
ONAIA helps to ensure that Indigenous Knowledges, leadership, and ways of being are woven into the fabric of NAU. Through this work, ONAIA affirms their role as partners in Native American and Indigenous empowerment—locally, nationally, and globally.
ONAIA Programs
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) houses different programs and strong partnerships that strive to support NAU’s goal to become the leading university serving Native Americans.
Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) Accordion Closed
The Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) at Northern Arizona University is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the central hub for Native American and Indigenous initiatives across campus. CNAIF provides a welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, Arizona tribes, and local organizations, offering resources that foster academic and personal success. Through its Elders Program, the Center honors diverse Tribal and Indigenous traditions by providing mentorship, cultural teachings, and programming that strengthen community engagement. CNAIF also offers reservable event and meeting spaces for approved activities. Additional information about CNAIF programs, services, and room reservations is available on the CNAIF website.
NAU Tribal Consultation Accordion Closed
NAU’s Tribal Consultation guides the NAU campus community in Arizona’s Tribal Consultation processes and providing training in respectful engagement with Tribal Nations.
Northern Arizona University respects and acknowledges the culture, traditions, beliefs, governance processes, tribal laws, codes, regulations, and protocols of the sovereign tribes and is committed to fulfilling this important obligation. This commitment is upheld in Arizona Board of Regents (“ABOR”) Policy 1-118, which requires good faith consultation with federally recognized Native American tribes regarding proposed research, initiatives, agreements, programs, policies, or other activities that may have foreseeable implications for tribes or their individual members. The ONAIA VP is NAUs Tribal Liaison, and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Tribal Consultation policy.
Seven Generations Indigenous Knowledge Center (7Gen Center) Accordion Closed
7Gen enriches NAU’s academic community by collaborating with Indigenous Knowledge Holders, Tribal colleges/universities, artists, and leaders to braid Indigenous and Western ways of knowing through land-based, experiential learning, while serving as a local and global hub for Indigenized research, pedagogy, cultural knowledge protection, and policy development.
Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Science (CBIKS) Accordion Closed
CBIKS explores ethical and effective ways to integrate Indigenous and Western sciences in addressing climate adaptation, food security, and the preservation of cultural heritage and place with partner communities. NAU is the southwest hub.
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Accordion Closed
ITEP strengthens Tribal capacity and sovereignty in environmental and natural resource management through culturally relevant education, research, partnerships and policy-based services. ITEP has served over 95% of all 574 Tribal Nations for 30+ years, ITEP leads internationally in Indigenous environmental training and capacity-building.
Institute for Native Serving Educators (INE) Accordion Closed
INE partners with Native Nations, Indigenous-serving schools, and nearby public districts to strengthen education across Indian Country. We design customized professional development based on each community’s goals, guided by research and best practices in culturally responsive education.
Native American Advisory Board (NAAB) Accordion Closed
In 1994, the Arizona Board of Regents created the Native American Advisory Board (NAAB) to advise the NAU President on Native American issues, enhance the visibility and standing of ongoing programs and serve as a catalyst and coordinating body for new initiatives that relate to Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples.
Native American and Indigenous Alumni Chapter (NAIAC) Accordion Closed
NAIAC connects alumni to the nationwide Lumberjack network through social and professional events, fostering lifelong connections and ongoing engagement with NAU. It empowers members to lead, mentor, and give back.
Indigenous Youth Leadership Circle (IYLC) Accordion Closed
A dynamic partnership hub that equips Indigenous students—locally to globally—for civic engagement and leadership.
ONAIA Partners
ONAIA works in close partnership with campus and community allies to advance Indigenous student success and strengthen NAU’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples. Key partners work together with ONAIA to provide culturally grounded support, resources, and programming that foster belonging and academic achievement.
Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS) Accordion Closed
The Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), in partnership with the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) and the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), provides individualized support for Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and all students who identify as Indigenous. Together, we create a caring and professional environment that values Indigenous identities and fosters a successful transition from home to the university community.
Through this partnership, OISS offers one-on-one guidance with professional staff, peer mentor support, connections to campus and community resources, and opportunities to engage in cultural events and activities. With more than 100 tribes represented at NAU, OISS plays a vital role in advancing the university’s Elevating Excellence: Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by supporting students as they balance academic and cultural responsibilities. Our shared goal is to ensure that every Indigenous student thrives as a member of the NAU community. To learn more about OISS programs and services, please visit the OISS website.
Honoring Roots
Supporting and Encouraging Indigenous Students
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement in conjunction with NAU Marketing, worked together to create logos and graphics that represent ONAIAs Core Values of Relationships, Responsibility, Respect, and Resilience. These logos and graphics are a collective representation of values that are upheld within many different Indigenous communities.
- The Relationships graphic was inspired by the staple imagery of the four cardinal directions that are considered sacred in Native American cultures. The feathers represent the trust, honor, wisdom, and strength that is necessary in establishing and cultivating relationships.
- The Responsibility value is a sun that illustrates responsibility by showing the effect that it has by reaching out with its rays. It also signifies the beginning of a new day as it rises from the east. Both of these express dependability and accountability which are essential parts of responsibility.
- The Respect value is represented by a water graphic that uses a droplet shape often utilized in Native American jewelry and other inspired circular designs. Water is used here to visually express the importance of respect and the value of community approval and honor.
- The Resilience value is represented as a corn stalk that is found in many Native American images. Corn is a resilient crop which ties directly to the concept of resilience. It also symbolizes the growth students experience through support in their education.
