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Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF)
A dedicated cultural center to call home
The Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) is a cultural and community gathering place at Northern Arizona University rooted in Indigenous relationships, knowledges, and ways of being. CNAIF creates a welcoming space where Indigenous students can find community, cultural connection, and a sense of belonging while bringing together students, faculty, staff, Elders, Tribal Nations, and community members to learn from and build relationships with one another.
Through cultural programming, intergenerational learning, student support, community partnerships, and gathering spaces, CNAIF honors the knowledge and strength of the generations who came before us while creating opportunities for Indigenous students and communities to shape the generations still to come.
Our work is grounded in the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement’s values of Relationships, Responsibility, Respect, and Resilience. These values guide how we care for our students and one another, build reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities, steward the resources entrusted to us, and create opportunities for Indigenous students to thrive. The Center embodies Native values and symbolizes NAU’s Commitment to Indigenous Peoples.
At CNAIF, you can:
- Find community and belonging in a space created with Indigenous students and communities at its center.
- Study, gather, eat, and spend time with friends and community between classes.
- Connect with Elders and cultural advisors through conversations, workshops, cultural teachings, and intergenerational learning.
- Participate in cultural programs and community gatherings throughout the academic year.
- Learn through Indigenous Knowledges and engage with opportunities that connect culture, community, and education.
- Access scholarships and emergency financial support made possible through the generosity of Tribal Nations, donors, and community partners.
- Connect with Indigenous student support through the Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), located within CNAIF.
- Use spaces designed for community, cultural, spiritual, educational, and appropriate campus activities.
CNAIF is here for Indigenous students, but our work extends beyond our walls. We welcome opportunities to build relationships with faculty, staff, Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, alumni, and community partners who share our commitment to Indigenous student success and Indigenous futures.
Navigating the Future with Generational Wisdom
CNAIF Elders Program Accordion Closed
Relationships between generations are an important part of CNAIF. Our Elders Program creates opportunities for students to build relationships with Indigenous Elders and cultural advisors through conversations, cultural teachings, hands-on workshops, storytelling, presentations, and one-on-one connection.
For students who may be living away from their home communities while attending NAU, relationships with Elders can provide cultural connection, guidance, encouragement, and a familiar sense of community. Elders help students navigate university life while remaining connected to their identities, values, communities, and ways of knowing.
The program also creates opportunities for the broader NAU community to learn from Indigenous Knowledges and perspectives. Through workshops, lectures, cultural activities, and community gatherings, our Elders contribute to a more holistic understanding of education—one that recognizes knowledge carried through relationships, experience, culture, land, and generations.
Indige-Jacks Student Employee Program Accordion Closed
Our Indige-Jacks are an important part of the community you experience when you walk through CNAIF’s doors. As CNAIF student employees, Indige-Jacks help welcome visitors, care for our shared spaces, support programs and events, and connect fellow students with resources and opportunities throughout CNAIF and NAU.
More than student employees, Indige-Jacks help create the welcoming and relational environment we want every student to experience at CNAIF. They bring their own cultures, experiences, interests, and perspectives to the Center and help ensure that students can find a familiar face and someone who can point them in the right direction.
The Indige-Jack experience also provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and professional skills while contributing to the Indigenous community at NAU.
Resources for Success
In partnership with the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA), the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) is honored to provide scholarship and financial support opportunities for Indigenous students at Northern Arizona University. These opportunities are made possible through the generosity of Tribal Nations, community partners, donors, and others who share our commitment to supporting Indigenous students throughout their educational journeys.
Each of these funds represents an investment in the success and futures of Indigenous students. CNAIF is honored to serve as a steward of these resources, connecting students with financial support that can help them persist toward graduation, achieve their educational and career goals, and continue making meaningful contributions to their families, communities, and Tribal Nations.
Explore the opportunities below to learn more about eligibility requirements, application materials, deadlines, and available funding.
Questions about scholarships or financial support? Contact IndigeFunds@nau.edu.
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Margaret Kimpton Scholarship Tab Open
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Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Scholarship Tab Closed
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Lawrence Maxey Endowed Scholarship Tab Closed
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Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Emergency Fund Tab Closed
Margaret Kimpton Scholarship Accordion Open
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) is pleased to offer the Margaret Kimpton Scholarship for Native American Students. This scholarship is awarded annually to support Native American students as they pursue their educational goals at Northern Arizona University. The scholarship provides $4,000, awarded as $2,000 during the Fall semester and $2,000 during the Spring semester. Students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to reapply each year.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Margaret Kimpton Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time Northern Arizona University student.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70.
- Be in good academic standing and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
- Be enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe.
Preference will be given to female Navajo and Hopi students.
Scholarship funds may be applied toward a student’s cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid (excluding loans)
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Arizona Time). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have any questions, please contact IndigeFunds@nau.edu.
Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Scholarship Accordion Closed
Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Scholarship
Northern Arizona University is honored to partner with the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise in supporting the educational goals and future success of Tohono O’odham students through the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Scholarship. Made possible through the generosity of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise and proceeds from the annual Desert Diamond Casinos Diamonds on the Green Golf Classic, this scholarship reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education, strengthening Native communities, and investing in the next generation of leaders.
In collaboration with the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA), Northern Arizona University is proud to offer this scholarship opportunity to students of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The scholarship provides $4,000 per academic year, distributed equally between the fall and spring semesters, to help students meet the costs associated with earning a college degree. Funds may be applied toward a student’s cost of attendance not already covered by other financial aid, excluding loans, and may support expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and other educational and living expenses necessary for degree completion.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at Northern Arizona University.
- Be a member of the federally recognized Tohono O’odham Nation.
- Be in good academic standing and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing
- Have a cumulative 2.70 minimum GPA
Students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to reapply for continued support throughout their academic journey.
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Arizona Time). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have any questions, please contact IndigeFunds@nau.edu.
Lawrence Maxey Endowed Scholarship Accordion Closed
Lawrence Maxey Endowed Scholarship
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) at Northern Arizona University is pleased to offer the Lawrence Maxey Endowed Scholarship to support Native American students in pursuing their educational goals at NAU. Established through the generosity of the donor, this scholarship provides financial assistance toward the costs associated with earning a college degree while supporting the continued academic success of Native American students.
Scholarship funds may be applied toward a student’s cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid, excluding loans. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, tuition, fees, housing, meals, transportation, books, supplies, internship expenses, study abroad, and other educational or living expenses necessary for completing a degree program.
Students who continue to meet the scholarship eligibility requirements are encouraged to reapply for continued support throughout their academic journey. Scholarship recipients will also receive information about Lawrence Maxey and the individual whose legacy is honored through this scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Lawrence Maxey Endowed Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at Northern Arizona University.
- Be a member of a federally recognized Native American Tribe.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70.
- Be in good academic standing and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing
Preference will be given to students who are members of the Navajo Nation or Hopi Tribe.
Students who continue to meet the scholarship criteria may reapply in future years.
Applications are received on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have questions about the scholarship or application process, please contact IndigeFunds@nau.edu.
Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Emergency Fund Accordion Closed
ONAIA Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Emergency Fund
The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (formerly the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) has generously provided funding to support Native American students at Northern Arizona University who experience unexpected financial circumstances that may affect their ability to continue their education.
Through the Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Development Fund, the NAU Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) provides emergency financial assistance to eligible students facing unforeseen educational or living expenses. The purpose of this funding is to help students address immediate financial barriers so they can remain enrolled and continue making progress toward their degree.
This funding is awarded on a contingency basis and is available only once during a student’s academic career at NAU. Funding is not guaranteed, and requests are reviewed based on eligibility, demonstrated need, available resources, and the circumstances described in the application.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Development Fund emergency assistance, students must:
- Be currently enrolled in classes at Northern Arizona University.
- Have completed at least one semester at NAU. Students in their first semester at NAU are not yet eligible to receive funding.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
- Be enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe.
- Have an unexpected or emergency financial need that may affect their ability to continue their education.
- Have explored other available financial aid and university resources before requesting assistance through this fund.
- Have not previously received assistance from the Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Development Fund during their NAU academic career.
Use of Emergency Funds
The Yuhaaviatam Native American Student Development Fund is intended to serve as a final resource after other available financial aid and university resources have been explored. This includes available grants, scholarships, loans, and other forms of assistance for which a student may be eligible.
Emergency funding may be considered for unexpected educational or living expenses that create a significant barrier to a student’s ability to remain enrolled or successfully continue their education.
Requests to pay an outstanding balance on a student’s LOUIE account are generally discouraged. However, these requests may be considered when the student demonstrates a significant or urgent need and other available options have been exhausted.
Applications are received on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
CNAIF & OISS
Connect in Our Commitment to Students
CNAIF and the Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS) work closely together to support Indigenous students at NAU, but each plays a different role.
CNAIF is a cultural and community center that creates opportunities for gathering, cultural connection, intergenerational learning, Indigenous programming, community engagement, and relationship building. Our work brings together students, Elders, faculty, staff, Tribal Nations, and community members while creating a space where Indigenous identities, knowledges, and ways of being are valued and visible.
The Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), located within CNAIF, provides individualized student support to American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other Indigenous students. OISS connects students with academic guidance, peer mentorship, campus resources, and other support to help them successfully navigate their NAU experience.
Together, CNAIF and OISS help students find both community and support—a place to belong and people who can help along the way.
A Building Rooted in Indigenous Community
CNAIF is more than a building, but the building itself tells an important story.
Opened in 2011, the 12,000-square-foot Center was designed with input from Tribal leaders to create a space that reflects Indigenous values and ways of gathering. The main entrance faces east to greet the rising sun, while the building’s central gathering area reflects the openness and connection found within many traditional Indigenous homes.
Throughout CNAIF, spaces are designed to support gathering, learning, community, and cultural connection. The Story Room provides a dedicated space where students can attend to cultural and spiritual needs, while gathering and meeting spaces bring together students, Elders, faculty, staff, Tribal partners, and community members throughout the year.
The building was made possible through core funding from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, along with the generosity of other donors and partners. Their investment created more than a physical space—it created a lasting home for Indigenous community at NAU.
Today, CNAIF continues to grow beyond the walls of the building as a place where relationships are strengthened, knowledge is shared, community is built, and Indigenous futures are imagined and created.