Native/Indigenous Center

Ongwayenawa khon dye

“We are all working together”

The Native/Indigenous Center at Onondaga Community College serves as a pivotal resource on campus fostering academic excellence, enriching student experiences, initiating scholarly pursuits, facilitating communication between Native/Indigenous Students, and preserving the cultural heritage of the OCC community.

Through faculty, staff and peer interaction, the Center will offer opportunities for growth and success beyond graduation. The Center is designed for students who identify as Native /Indigenous and is open to all eligible students without regard to race, gender, national origin or other characteristics. 

Mission Statement

The Native/Indigenous Center is dedicated to supporting the diverse and changing needs of Native/Indigenous students and increasing our visibility by hosting student-centered programs, cultural events, and providing tools for academic success and personal well-being. The center is a vital link between Native/Indigenous students, the College, and Native/Indigenous Nations and Tribes that fosters growth through mentoring, leadership opportunities, and scholarly development.

Objectives

• To promote the value of a college education for Native/Indigenous People.
• To serve as a supportive space for students as they transition from home to college life.
• To center Indigenous knowledge and practices in our activities and help preserve the culture and heritage of Native/Indigenous students.
• To serve as a liaison between Native/Indigenous communities and Onondaga Community College.

Students will find the Center welcoming, and well-appointed with three computers, desks, and tables and chairs. The room is decorated with OCC graduate pieces, other Indigenous artifacts, and a historic wall picture donated from the Onondaga Nation which reinforces Haudenosaunee presence. The aesthetic of the room is Native and inviting to all who enter. Native students will have a sense of home, pride and belonging in this space.

The Native/Indigenous Center also serves as the meeting place for the Native/Indigenous Club. The purpose is to promote and plan activities that stimulate the intellectual, social, and moral growth of Native/Indigenous students. The Native/indigenous Club (NIC) welcomes all students interested in Native Culture and history.  

Native History Month (November) serves as a catalyst for Haudenosaunee Culture awareness, sharing and bridge building. Additionally, the month is filled with events, demonstrations and exhibits enriching and creating a sense of pride and empowerment, especially to Native students and the Native at-large community.