Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement

09/17/2026

ICYMI Soccer and NAATE debuted a Native American Heritage tee at the game on Thursday, September 10th. The shirts featured "Wildcats" in several Native American languages including White mountain Apache, Paiute, Diné (Navajo), yoeme (Pascua Yaqui), O’odham, and Hopi. The first 100 fans received a free shirt along with the team and tribal flag bearers. We hope to continue to expand on the inclusion of Native American languages in our collaboration with Arizona Athletics.

Photo Credit: Emma Williams, Arizona Athletics
T-Shirt Design: Nicolette Gomez

09/16/2026

The NN voter registration deadline is fast approaching. Make an appointment with NAATE Interim Associate Director Byron Tsabetsaye to complete your registration before September 24th.

09/15/2026

In partnership with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's Education Division, NAATE hosted the first quarterly meeting of the academic year with Yaqui students.

Dr. Romero, Director of the Education Division, addressed the students and facilitated dialogue that focused on the experiences of PYT students. Councilmembers Frias and Gonzales also addressed the students followed by an introduction of staff from the Higher Education Assistance Program (HEAP).

PYT students, keep an eye on your Arizona email for updates and information about the next quarterly meeting.
Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, Native American Student Affairs

09/15/2026

A few shots from last Thursday’s Native American Heritage Soccer Game as Arizona Women’s Soccer took on NAU. Students proudly carried the flags representing Arizona’s 22 Tribal Nations.

09/14/2026

A few moments from the Native American Heritage Football Game. The photos feature members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

09/11/2026

The College of Education welcomed a new campus sign celebrating the Mohave language of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) and its connection to learning. The College of Education featured a Worlds of Words display during the event highlighting children's literature. The CRIT Tribal Council added to the collection with books respective of their languages. A custom quilt was also made to exmphasize relationship and community that will later be displayed with the tribe.

“Avath athpalyv”
House of Learning
Colorado River Indian Tribes (Mohave)

The ceremony brought together representatives from CRIT, students, faculty, staff, and elders to celebrate the occasion. Featured speakers shared stories about the language selected for the sign and the history, culture, and traditions of the Mohave community within CRIT.

The Native American Language Campus Sign Initiative is an ongoing effort to appropriately include Native American culture and the use of Native languages within U of A campus spaces.

09/10/2026

A new sign at the Forbes Building honors the Hopi of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) and their language, recognizing the connection between the land, the people, and the harvest.

“Tutskwat, Sinmuy, pu' Natwanit Kyaptsilalwa”
Honoring the land, the people and the Harvest
Colorado River Indian Tribes (Hopi)

The ceremony brought together representatives from CRIT, students, faculty, staff, and elders to celebrate the occasion. Featured speakers shared stories about the language selected for the sign and the history, culture, and traditions of the Hopi community within CRIT.

The Native American Language Campus Sign Initiative is an ongoing effort to appropriately include Native American culture and the use of Native languages within U of A campus spaces.

09/09/2026

The Environment and Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) Building is now home to a new building sign that features Diné Bizaad (Navajo Language). The Navajo of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) selected a statement that aligns well with what ENR2 represents.

"Nihimá Nahasdzáán baa'áhwiilyá"
We are protecting our Mother Earth
Colorado River Indian Tribes (Navajo)

The ceremony brought together representatives from CRIT, students, faculty, staff, and elders to celebrate the occasion. Featured speakers shared stories about selecting the language and share history about the tribe including their tribal seal creation.

The Native American Language Campus Sign Initiative is an ongoing effort to appropriately include Native American culture and the use of Native languages within U of A campus spaces.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

September 4th marked a historic day for the Native Languages Campus Sign Initiative as NAATE hosted a sign unveiling ceremony honoring the Chemehuevi of the Colorado River Indian Tribes the Emil W. Haury Anthropology Building.

"Puha"
Power of learning about the people
Colorado River Indian Tribes (Chemehuevi)

The ceremony brought together representatives from the Colorado River Indian Tribes, University of Arizona leadership, faculty, staff, students, and honored guests to recognize and celebrate the Chemehuevi language and its continued presence within Native communities.

The Native American Language Campus Sign Initiative is an ongoing effort to intentionally include Native American culture and the use of Native languages within our campus spaces. Through these signs, the University of Arizona is creating greater visibility and recognition for Native languages and the communities they represent.