Happy New Year from the UNC American Indian Center!
Through tremendous partnerships and collaborations, 2014 has been an extremely productive year. See below for a listing of our 2014 accomplishments. These would not have been possible without the contributions of many. Thank you for your continuous support and contributions.
We wish you a healthy and happy new year!
American Indian Center Notable 2014 Achievements
- Hosted the first ever talking circle between the Carolina Indian Circle, First Nations Graduate Circle and the Chancellor.
- Approximately 40 students participated in the AIC Commencement Ceremony which was also attended by Chancellor Folt. All graduates received a one-of-a-kind turtle from Haliwa-Saponi Potter, Senora Lynch. The Commencement speaker was Hosted Dr. Robin Cummings (Lumbee), NC Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary of Health Services and Acting State Health Director.
- Hosted the first New Native Student Orientation designed to support American Indian student success. In turn, this also supports the Native student retention efforts of the University.
- Supported 10 American Indian Ambassadors who are undergraduate students and three American Indian student interns both graduate and undergraduate.
- Invited to partner and were awarded a portion of the $3 million First in the World grant to UNC. This new Department of Education grant to UNC-Chapel Hill will allow the American Indian Center to hire a full-time Native Student Engagement Coordinator to help Native students apply to and succeed at the University. Only 24 of the 500 applicants were selected as grant recipients.
- Hosted a scholarship informational session with the Carolina Indian Circle and other campus partners as part of our Native Pathways to Professional Disciplines
- Advised the University as it entered into its first agreement with North Carolina Native Nations at our First Annual Forum on the Role of Higher Education in Native Nation Building. The resolution, signed by Chancellor Folt and the eight Native Nations, officially affirmed the University’s commitment to strengthen relationships with the NC Native Nations. The historic forum because was the first time leaders from all eight North Carolina tribes presented at a University sponsored event and were recognized as sovereign Native Nations.
- Received continued grant support for the Healthy Native North Carolinians (HNNC) Network initiative from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and for our NC Native Asset Coalition (NCNAC) initiative from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. Awarded $319,350 in small grants to Native community partners through our HNNC and NCNAC efforts.
- Graduated 24 Native leaders throughout the state in the NC Native Leadership Institute.
- Facilitated numerous culturally relevant capacity building trainings and provided hours of technical assistance to Native community partners.
These are but a few highlights from a tremendous year that would not have been possible without the support of our donors, alumni, and friends like you.
In the New Year, we plan to continue these efforts and welcome support in the following areas.
- Funding to support AIC Ambassadorships and Internships for both graduate and undergraduate students.
- Engaged Scholarship as we develop a service learning course centered on Native asset development and supporting participatory change.
- Continuing to support of the Carolina Indian Circle and the First Nations Development Institute.
- Hosting the second cohort of the NC Native Leadership Institute and secure funding to support these efforts.
- Hosting the second annual gathering of the NC Native Nation Building Forum.
- Establishing a fund for Native philanthropy and grassroots giving in Native communities.
Your generous donation will help us realize these goals. Your gift matters. Consider a gift to impact the experiences of students and the wellbeing of Native communities. Give a gift to support these efforts. In the spirit of giving, no gift is too small! All donations are tax deductible.
In solidarity and appreciation,
UNC American Indian Center