A Native American Advisory Council (NAAC), composed of statewide native leaders, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ native alumni and ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ native students, was formed in May 2006 to advise ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ on its work with and service to Native American communities. The council’s membership includes ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ University staff, faculty and students. The council meets annually and has several goals:
- To guide ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ in becoming an effective resource and forum for Indian Country
- To develop a consciousness among the broader ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ community of the university’s origins as an Indian mission school and its opportunity and responsibility to partner with tribal communities
- To use the collective resources of the NAAC members to build a network for Indian Country that will be facilitated by/centered at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ
- To provide mentorship for Native high school- and college-age youth and contribute to the recruitment and retention of Native students at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ