Celebrate with Us!
November is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Native American Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Did you know? There are over 30 identified unique Native American Tribes just in Arizona!
Land Acknowledgment
Estrella Mountain Community College is located on the Traditional Territories of the Akimel O'odham, Hohokam, and O'odham peoples.
Why is it important to acknowledge Native land? This is a step against erasing the history of the indigenous people who occupied these lands before us. As most American establishments, it is often taken for granted the fact they are occupying stolen land. Learn more about how important it is to recognize the indigenous people who lived in this land for generations at: https://www.insightintodiversity.com/acknowledging-native-land-is-a-step-against-indigenous-erasure/
The Mission and Goal Behind our Hoops of Learning Program
- Encourage, enable and empower Native American students to complete high school and transition successfully into higher education.
- Increase high school retention and graduation rates
- Increase Native American participation and matriculation rates into college
- Create the conditions for retaining Native American students to reach their higher education goals
- Enhance Native American culturally relevant curriculum
- Increase diversity of campuses
- Strengthen external collaboration by establishing partnerships with Native American communities, school districts, and other agencies.