Celebrating Native Americans in April | Earth Day Event Features Winona LaDuke
The North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) is committed to creating an
environment that is anti-racist, equitable and culturally inclusive by supporting policies and programs that remove systemic barriers for students, staff, and faculty of color. In 2020, NOCCCD launched its first Native American Faculty and Staff Alliance (NAFSA) to celebrate Native American and Indigenous peoples who have traditionally lived and currently live in the U.S. and its territories, and to support and advocate for NOCCCD Native American employees.
Currently, there are 109 federally recognized tribes in California, several state recognized tribes, and many others seeking federal recognition. There are approximately 720,000 Native Americans residing in California alone, making it the largest Native American population in the U.S. (CA Tribal Communities). There are approximately 370 million Indigenous people in the world, belonging to 5,000 different groups, in 90 countries worldwide.
Interested students can learn about contemporary Native American issues through these upcoming activities and events:
- NAFSA Student Art Contest: The Alliance is looking for students to create its first logo. Any current or former student of Cypress College, Fullerton College or NOCE can enter a submission at NativeArtContest@nocccd.edu by May 1, 2021. Cash prize for the winning submission. Link to flyer.
- Earth Day Symposium: The Fullerton College Ethnic Studies Department is hosting a symposium on Climate Justice with a keynote address from Winona LaDuke, an internationally acclaimed author, orator and activist who has devoted her life to protecting the lands and life ways of Native communities. Free and open to all. April 22, 2021, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/fcearthday2021
- Entrepreneurship Exploration Event: The Native American Veterans Association along with the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center are co-hosting an entrepreneurship exploration event called “Boots to Business Reboot” on April 23, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This class is free and open to Native American Veterans, Veterans of all eras, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military-connected family members who are interested in starting or growing a small business. Any interested tribal or community members are invited to join this one-day exploration of entrepreneurship. Go to https://socalvboc.org/boots-to-business-reboot/ to register.
