09/23/2021
This is going to be a large post but we wanted to ensure that we left our community with our heartfelt words.
To our Dearest Community, Friends, and Family, as many of you know and some may not we have been operating under a 5-year Department of Education Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution Grant.
Next Thursday September 30th will be the end of our 5 year program and therefore our last day here at NSU. We wanted to thank you our extended community and our students for making our time here more memorable than you will ever know.
To our community at large, we hope that you continue to support our students by offering words of encouragement and support.
To our students/family, always remember you belong here, your words and thoughts are more valid than you will ever know, use them both wisely with love and without prejudice.
Everything you will ever want is on the other side of fear – George Adair. Be Bold and Be Brave.
We asked NASC staff past and present to pass along a message to you. Please read below.
___________________________________________________________
“I enjoyed my time at NASC. I loved every part of it from meeting new students, watching them succeed, and being there for them during their journey thru college. NASC was a program that provided a family to its students, a home away from home, providing a toolkit to college and life success. At the same time the students are the key players, without their curiosity, creativity, leadership, and knowledge, I know this program would not have been the same. The energy used to create this family was one that all campuses need to appropriately serve the American Indian student body. I wish the best of luck in all endeavors that former and current students embark on, NASC will always be family and support you in whatever you choose to do.” – Jade Hansen former Advisement and Career Specialist
_______________________________________________________________
“NASC has become my lifelong family-giving me and many others a true sense of connection, direction, and belonging. When I felt lost in higher education, the wonderful community at NASC gave me the opportunity to discover who I am and my purpose in serving others through education. Every memory with the NASC family is cherished: talking, laughing, eating, working diligently for the well-being of others, all the 'ups and downs' were all shared here. The
community at NASC is an empowering and inspiring place for Native leaders and scholars, we are all the better having had NASC in our lives. We collectively have come together on issues that are representative of us, we are able to stand strong in solidarity with and for each other. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone that I’ve had the honor to meet here and participate in all aspects of NASC programming, I feel I was truly waiting on this opportunity for all my education. NASC has done more for me personally than any other institution, and has set the standard for Native programming in higher education and I hope that one day NASC will become the expectation for Native students and scholars in university. The NASC family has been incredibly supportive, unwaveringly encouraging and always helpful-I wish everyone could have the same opportunity as those of us who were fortunate enough to have NASC. I love all my relatives at NASC dearly, I can't thank you all enough for being the best people who made this place so special!” - Ashley Carter – Graduate Assistant (2019-2021)
________________________________________________________________
“It’s very bittersweet to hear of the end of NASC’s run at NSU. NASC was a vital part of the college experience for many NSU students. I am beyond blessed to have been part of the team for two and a half years, seeing Native students have a place they could call home, grow, learn, and become leaders together is an invaluable thing. The fact I was able to play a small role in that was the honor of a lifetime and something I’ll always remember. NASC reached its goal of increasing Native student retention while far extending its impact to the lives of the students themselves. To Shelly, our leader, my co-coordinators Brian and Jade, our graduate assistants, Mark, Ashley, Rance, Ah-nee, all the student workers, and the students I got to serve, thank you for making my job an enjoyable experience. It was a great experience to know and work with you. God bless.” - Billy Flint, M.S. NASC Outreach Coordinator (2018-2020)
_________________________________________________________
“I have really enjoyed the time that I was able to spend here at NASC. The Native community here really is a family of some amazing people. Though I was only here for a few short months, I was embraced and welcomed into the family here without a second thought. I want to thank you all for that. It has been an overall great experience to be a part of the family here. Moving forward, I want to encourage our students to continue pursuing your goals and dreams and supporting others to do the same. You guys are doing an awesome job. Times might get hard and you might feel like quitting every once in a while, but don’t lose sight of your goal. Remember that you are strong and resilient. It’s in your blood, and you can do it”. - Gentry Riet-Kerk, Outreach Coordinator (2021)
_______________________________________________________________
“I honestly can’t put into words how truly amazing NASC and the community we’ve been able to build are. It’s a forever family, a home away from home, and the grounding voice Native students need here at NSU. Though I have only been able to be a part of this program for a few months, I am truly grateful to be a part of this amazing team. They have supported and encouraged me from day one and are always the most welcoming people on campus. Thank you Brian, Gentry, Ashley, and our wise and courageous leader Shelly, you all have truly become family and changed my life for the better.
To the Native students of NSU, past, present, and future. You are exactly where you need to be. We need and love and support you all, even after our program ends. You are our family too and we will be here cheering you on in all of the amazing endeavors that you do. Keep shining bright and don’t let anyone dim your light. You are stronger than you know.” - Jackie Eagle, Career and Advisement Specialist (2021)
___________________________________________________________
“Y’all -- wow -- what an amazing ride. You have changed me. Really changed me. I am different because of the time I spent with each of you. Each day truly has been something to look forward to. Each morning I woke up knowing full well that I had no idea who would walk into our little corner of the world. I didn’t know what your story would be, where you were from, how far you’d come, or how you would connect with your relatives here. Wow. What an honor. What a privilege. I am so thankful. Beyond thankful. Beyond privileged. Beyond honored. I am so glad to call so many of you family. Truly, thank you so much. Nigadawu. To all of you.
This isn’t an end. This really isn’t even a beginning. We picked up the work so many strong Native people have been laying here on this campus for generations. Native people, your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters built this place and have continued to shape this place with each generation. You belong here, and anyone who makes you feel any different, doesn’t know what they’re missing out on. You all are strong, your voices are powerful, your minds are sharp, and I am so proud of each of you. Ulisgediyu Destsadayelvsesdi. Y’all take care of each other and hold each other sacred. Deuces y’all-- I’ll be around. You have my number lo”l - Brian Barlow Academic Intervention Specialist 2018-2021
_____________________________________________________________
“It's hard to put into words what we were able to build here at NASC in the short time we have been together. I want to start by thanking my team, for walking beside me and creating a space filled with laughter, exploration, and growth. Where we could gather as mentors, educators, leaders and most importantly where we could gather as family. Because of you, I truly know what it means to be part of something beautiful. We encompassed our most precious principle of Gadugi in building the NASC community.
Our community extends far beyond the brick and mortar of these walls. Our program was able to thrive because of each and every person who fostered our student’s development with your good words and cheered for our students during their many accomplishments. I thank you… yes you for lifting our students up in the many ways you have over the years. Thank you to the faculty/staff here at NSU that welcomed us with open arms, you were essential in our students' success and so appreciated.. A special thank you to our relatives at Cherokee Nation and especially CN Deputy Chief Bryan Warner for his continued support and personal mentorship of many of our students, they and I appreciate your dedication.
Now I want to speak directly to every single student who has ever walked into our center. You are the reason we got up every morning with joy in our hearts to come to work. You are the reason we happily worked late most days to be here when you needed us. You have made such a positive impact in all of our lives. You are our mentees, our friends, and most importantly our family. I want to be clear that although our program is ending, the friendships formed among you as well as with us will last a lifetime. I am lucky and will never take for granted the time I got to spend with each of you.
I want to leave you with this. You all have the power within you to not only overcome but to thrive as the strong indigenous leaders that you are. My hope for you is to continue moving forward step by step, if you reach a wall take a step back and re-evaluate and then continue on. There is nothing you can’t accomplish. You are undoubtedly our ancestors’ wildest dreams. I am proud of you all and I love you.” – Shelly Dreadfulwater, Director, Native American Support Center 2017-2021
Donadagohvi (Until we meet again)
09/28/2021
09/24/2021
09/22/2021
09/22/2021
09/21/2021
09/21/2021
09/15/2021
09/13/2021