The American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP) at Cornell is an amazing resource for students. This program touches students in a multitude of ways – from student support to academics to housing. I’ve known many students who are very involved in this program – from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds.  

Student Support

AIISP has a full-time student support specialist who can help students navigate the new world of college. They can connect students with other offices on campus, such as the academic support office of their college/school or financial aid. They hire peer tutors for students and provide enrichment, travel, and research funding. Additionally, there are a number of leadership opportunities available throughout the different components of the program, such as coordinating the Native American/Indigenous Mentoring Program.

Community Building Events

It’s important to find your “people” when you start college and many Indigenous cultures place a high value on community. AIISP plans several community building events throughout the year, such as Welcome Back events at the beginning of each semester, the weekly lunch Soup-er Series, and Akwe:kon potlucks. It’s a great way to meet new students, see old friends, and get to know staff and faculty.

Highlighting Indigenous Changemakers

AIISP invites changemakers and scholars who are experts on Indigenous topics to share their work and knowledge with the Cornell community and greater public. Last November, Potawatomi professor and scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer spoke about land justice and engaging Indigenous knowledge for land care. This past Fall, Onondaga artist Brandon Lazore spoke at the Soup-er Series about traditional graffiti. Additionally, this past February, AIISP held an Indigenous Film Screening Series. One of the films screened was Ghosts, directed by Kiowa filmmaker Jeffery Palmer, who is a Cornell professor of performing and media arts.

Akwe:kon, the Indigenous Program House

Akwe:kon is one of Cornell’s program houses. It is the first residence hall in the country that was specifically built to celebrate Indigenous cultures and communities. The building features beautiful architectural designs inspired by Haudenosaunee symbols and wampum belts. Students have attended corn husk doll workshops, ribbon skirt/shirt workshops, and a field trip to the Arnot Research Forest and Maple Lab to learn about how to make maple syrup, which included a pancake breakfast! Along with the 35 students who live at the house, Akwe:kon also serves as a community center for the wider AIISP community. Even if you don’t live in Akwe:kon, you can easily access events by applying for Akwe:kon out-of-house membership.  

AIIS Minor and Faculty

Taking AIIS classes is a great way to learn more about Indigenous cultures and communities and the issues affecting them, both in the past and present. AIIS classes and faculty can help you apply your studies to helping a specific Indigenous community or Indigenous communities in general. These classes are taught by our expert AIIS faculty members, who span multiple fields, including anthropology, archeology, art, art history, fiber science, history, literature, law, and natural resources. Additionally, AIIS courses incorporate more holistic community-approved dimensions of Indigenous knowledge, making this unique minor not only multidisciplinary but extradisciplinary.

There is a lot more I could say about this amazing program, but I will leave it there! I encourage you to sign up for the AIISP newsletter to keep informed of upcoming events and programs.