Native at Virginia Tech

Introducing the 2026–2027 Native@VT Executive Board!

We’re excited to introduce the newly elected team that will be leading Native@VT this year. These dedicated students are committed to uplifting Indigenous voices, fostering community and belonging, celebrating Native cultures, and creating meaningful impact across the Virginia Tech campus.

We’re grateful for the passion and leadership this team brings, and we can’t wait to see all that they accomplish.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026–2027 Executive Board!

Annual Spring Powwow Update!!!!

Powwow Location for this Saturday will be at the War Memorial Gym

370 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg VA

(Noon To 4pm)

Five Days Away!!! Don't Miss out!!!

Head Lady: Alicia Aldaz

Head Man: Monte Boddie

MC: Rufus Elliott

AD: Joey Crutchfield

Northern Drum: Red Clay Singers

Southern Drum: Smokey River Singers

Join us for the last week with our Fellow in Residence, Rufus Elliott, citizen of the Monacan Indian Nation.

Here’s what’s happening:

📅 April 29
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM – Circles of Tradition: From Powwows to Cultural Resilience
📍 ICC (Squires 122)

📅 April 30
🕓 4:00–5:15 PM – Shinny Clinic
📍 Blacksburg Municipal Park (920 Turner St NE)

📅 May 1
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM – Powwow Community Dinner
📍 University Club Lane Stadium (185 Beamer Way)
Registration Required: https://aimsbbis.vt.edu/powwowdinner2026

📅 May 2
🕚 Noon–4:00 PM – Powwow
📍 Solitude House (705 W. Campus Drive)

Come learn, connect, and celebrate Indigenous traditions, resilience, and community ✨

As part of the Spring 2026 Indigenous Fellow-in-Residence program, Native at Virginia Tech will host a Talk Circle with Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen (Mohawk Nation) at Solitude-Fraction House (6:30pm to 8:00pm).

This gathering will create space for open conversation, reflection, and community dialogue with Dr. Ondrechen about navigating experiences in science, mentorship, and Indigenous leadership in STEM.

Free and open to everyone to participate. Food from Roots Kitchen is provided.

Exciting News! We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen (Mohawk Nation) as our Spring 2026 Indigenous Fellow-in-Residence!
A distinguished chemist, researcher, and STEM advocate, Dr. Ondrechen bridges scientific innovation with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. Join us to learn from her expertise in enzyme catalysis, protein modeling, and community-centered science alongside Haudenosaunee culture.

This initiative is sponsored by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Community, Agency, and Engagement for Native Students (CAENS) Program and the Ati Wa: Oki Indigenous Community Center at Virginia Tech.

For additional information, please contact Bryce Burrell via [email protected] or Dr. Donna Westfall-Rudd via [email protected]

Have you registered yet?! Tribal Education Day! Saturday, April 4th 9:30am - 4:15pm @ our new Cultural Resource Center.

Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZLZRBFX

We are excited to have VTEC joining us, along with Powhatan Algonquin Intertribal Roundtable (PAIR), Virginia Native Arts Alliance (VNAA), CodeVA and others!

The day will feature a variety of workshops such as:

• Skin Sewing on Moose Hide (Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq, Founding Director of the Center for Sustainable Engagement in the Arctic, Noorvik Native Community)

• Contemporary Indigenous Cooking (Chef Joe Rocchi, Pamunkey)

• Exploring Virtual Reality Technology (Brendan David-John)

• ŘeNaPeWīhSoWāKan Reclamation (Jessica Langdorf, PAIR Representative, Pamunkey)

• History of the Term "Indian" (Edward Polanco, Director of VTs Indigenous Studies Program)

• & more!

This free event is open to all students and families from Virginia Tribes - Lunch will be provided.