The Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center acknowledges that the Cal Poly campus is situated on unceded land, included in unratified Treaty “C” region, signed at Camp Burton on June 3, 1851. We recognize yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini [Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region], their continuing connection to land, water and community, and yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini elder's past, present, and emerging.
The Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center seeks to embrace and encourage students to (re)connect to the traditions and cultures of Native American and Indigenous peoples. The center aims to ensure student success by holistically supporting them and providing services rooted in de-colonial practices, community engagement, restorative healing, and native knowledge. The NAICC’s vision is to create and sustain an environment in which Native and Indigenous students thrive and contribute to the university efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate Native and Indigenous students.
As an intertribal space, the NAICC will foster partnerships with the American Indian Student Association, the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, American Indian and Indigenous Faculty and Staff Association, University Housing, Academic Affairs, and the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe, and other local and statewide tribes.
Collaborations, Programs and Services
- Community Gathering Space
- Mentorship Opportunities
- Academic Support
- Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
- Native and Indigenous Heritage Month Programming
- Beading & Basket Weaving Workshops
- Native & Indigenous Speaker Series
- Decolonial Healing Workshops
- Native & Indigenous Dialogues & Book Circles
- Native & Indigenous Art & Dance
- Native & Indigenous Film Series
- Native & Indigenous Commencement
We anticipate that the NAICC will be open when students return for the Fall 2021 quarter. Throughout the 2021 spring and summer quarters, the Student Diversity & Belonging team will prepare for and furnish the center location in yakʔitʸutʸu. Our professional staff team will continue to work with student leaders from American Indian Students Association (AISA) and American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), in addition to faculty and our local Native and Indigenous community as we progress towards opening.
