In the past 30 years, the matriculation of American Indian and Alaska Natives in higher education has more than doubled, according to the U.S. Department of Education. This trend has also been apparent at AU in the last 10 years.
AU's American Indian enrollment has risen from 41 students in the fall of 1997 to 73 in 2007, according to the Office of Institutional Research's yearly Academic Databooks.
Carrie Johnson, a senior in the School of Public Affairs and co-president of the Student Advocates for Native Communities, a campus club that seeks to educate faculty and students about American Indian culture, said she has seen a rise in American Indian populations here at AU.
"I have definitely seen an increase in interest for American Indian culture at American, and the university is certainly benefiting from an increase of [American Indian] students on the basis of diversity," Johnson said.
SANC "used to consist of one member: me," she said. "But in recent years, it has grown to become what I believe is one of the most successful clubs on campus."
Another AU-affiliated group that is oriented toward Native American groups is the Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) Program.
WINS, founded in 1994 and based at AU's Tenley campus, is "a program in which we bring students from across the U.S. to D.C. to do internships that will encourage the concept of leadership with a focus on the Native American identity," according to Jack Soto, the program director.
This program, too, has grown in success over time.
"We had an increase in the fall semester participants this year," Soto said. "Usually we have about two to five students. This year we have 10."
American Indian advocacy in higher education has been enhanced, not just in the statistics but also in the number of programs offered for students, he said.
"The increase in opportunity is another piece of the picture," Soto said. "There are now so many choices now for them."
SANC is putting on events to promote appreciation for the native population on campus in the context of upcoming Columbus Day and November's American Indian Heritage Month.
The club has proposed a resolution to the Student Senate to recognize Columbus Day as "Native American Peoples Day" on campus to honor the displacement of American Indians that has occurred since the coming of white settlers to this continent, Johnson said.
In addition, SANC will put on multiple events throughout November, she said.
"Through these events, I think we can show support and appreciation for the native students and their cultures," Johnson said.
You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.
