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Outreach and Special Programs

Our Land Acknowledgment

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land. Created by: Dr. Leece Lee-Oliver

 

 

Headshot of Amber Esquivel

Amber Esquivel, Outreach Counselor - Native American Initiative 

Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

The Native American Initiative has been established to increase the number of Native American students enrolling and graduating at Fresno State.

The following are essential components of the initiative:

  • Reach out to Native American students through partnerships and collaborations with Rancherias, school districts, and tribal agencies serving Native American students.
  • Develop and maintain support networks within the university and the Native American community.
  • Create a place that fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel they have a home away from home. It is a place for studying, programming, faculty, staff, student meetings, social engagement, and student community building.
  • Promote and support events that bring Native American students and community to the campus.
  • Provide student academic monitoring and advisement that includes an “early warning” system.
  • Connect students with mentors (faculty, staff, and alumni)

 

Mission

The Native American Initiative will partner with tribes and tribal organizations to provide Native American students access to higher education through advocacy, outreach, assistance, and advising. 

Vision

To foster attending college culture for Native American students and their families through providing access and promoting higher education by building and nurturing relationships with tribes, organizations and the community.

 

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Outreach NAI Linktree

You want to bookmark this page. This is your one stop shop for Fresno State related information, Native resources, and a list of scholarships that may be available for you! Information gets updated throughout the year so check back again to see what's new!

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Outreach NAI Linktree Website

 

Native American Campus Tour Requests and Student Appointments

Please follow the instructions to add your group or appointment to my calendar. For any questions contact me directly.

Summer 2024 Tours Not Offered on These Dates

Memorial Day (May 27), Juneteenth (June 19), and Independence Day (July 4)

Campus Tour Schedule

Availability is on a first-come first-serve basis. Book your tours now with us on Calendly.

Summer 2024: May 28 to July 31
*All summer campus tours will be offered Wednesday through Thursday at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. only due to high summer temperatures. All campus tours will be 50 minutes in duration with max capacity of 50 students per tour and a minimum of two chaperone's.
  • Tours not offered on these dates: Memorial Day (May 27), Juneteenth (June 19), and Independence Day (July 4)
Fall 2024: August 26 to December 11
  • Tours not offered on these dates: Labor Day (Sept. 2), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 27-29), Finals Week (Dec. 16-20)
  • Additional tours not offered on these dates: Oct. 2 -4, 10-11, 30 - Nov. 4
Spring 2025: January 28 to May 7
  • Tours not offered on these dates: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20), President's Day (Feb. 17), Cesar Chavez Day (March 31), Finals Week (May 12-16) 
  • Additional tours not offered on these dates: March 11 - 14, 19 - 21, and April 28

Scholarships for Native American Students

Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund

The Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund is open to most enrolled California tribal members. Up to $20,000 is available each year to students seeking vocational, associates or bachelors degrees at any accredited, nonprofit college, university or vocational program.
  • Enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree program at an accredited, nonprofit college or university
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Registered as an enrolled member of an eligible California tribe
Application opens in February and closes on May 31st.

Request informational materials at scholarships@collegefund.org | 800.776.3863
Apply before May 31st

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The Indian Boarding School Healing Scholarship & Fellowship Program

In support of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) students, NABS has created the Indian Boarding School Healing Scholarship for Descendants of Indian Boarding School Survivors.

  • Who: Tribally enrolled descendants of U.S. boarding school survivors who submit an essay with their relative's story.
    • Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at accredited institutions.
  • Terms: One time funding paid directly to the instiution through a partnership with the American Indian College Fund to be used for tuition, books, fees, etc.
  • Annual Timeline:
    • March/April - Annoucement
    • May 31 - Deadline
    • August - Award
Learn more about these two exciting programs!
Learn more about the Program

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American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund is accepting applications!
Make an account and apply by May 31st!

Contact info: scholarships@collegefund.org | 800.776.3863
American Indian College Fund Homepage

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Catching the Dream

The range of Catching the Dream scholarships is from $500 to $5,000 per year, based on merit. Over 95% of students who applied have been awarded a scholarship.

Deadline to apply is April 30th for the fall semester.

Contact: nscholarsh@aol.com | 505.262.2351
Visit their website

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Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarship

Did you know the Association has the oldest Native scholarship program in the country? It's true! In 1947, the Association awarded its first scholarship to a Navajo/Dinè student. The Association on American Indian Affairs has teamed up with the American Indian College Fund to provide administration to the Associations's longstanding scholarships!

Applications are now being accepted until May 31, 2023.
Application open until May 31st

flyer for association on american indian affairs scholarship. application open until may 31, 2023.

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Native American Youth Conference (NAYC)

 The Native American Youth Conference (NAYC) is hosted under the department of Outreach and Special Programs at Fresno State. The one-day conference has a target audience of 6th through 12th grade Native American students from all school districts. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for future students to explore the pathways towards higher education by participating in workshops covering application admissions information, financial aid and scholarships, A-G requirements, pathways towards higher education, student services, and resources. Along with hearing from a special keynote speaker, cultural and higher education presentations. There is no registration fee and lunch is provided for all registered youth including a free conference t-shirt. 
 
To receive the latest information about conference updates subscribe to the Outreach NAI E-Newsletter and check out the conference homepage.

NAYC Archives

View the archives of the Fresno State Native American Youth Conference homepages and additional photos from each year.
 
Amber Request Virtual Appointment

Request to meet with Amber

You can now submit a request to meet with Amber online or by phone appointment. Amber can help you review your CSU college requirements to attend Fresno State, discuss the pathways towards higher education, college preparation, and answer any of your questions.

Make an Appointment
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Outreach NAI E-Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to share educational information and updates with K-12 students, transfer students, parents, educators, and those who serve our Native American community. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter to receive a new issue at the beginning of each month that’ll include updates and other important information on student reminders, early outreach college readiness, scholarships, and community events.

Subscribe!
 

 

Neum Native American Student Association (NASA)

Neum Native American Student Association (NASA) is a student organization open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. They sponsor activities and host events to help raise awareness for a better understanding of the Native American community by promoting mutual respect among all people. Formerly First Nations, the club started in 1969 as the Tewaquachi American Indian Club. In 1983, Tewaquachi sponsored the first annual American Indian Heritage Week and Fresno State Pow Wow. These events helped promote Fresno as a focal point in the San Joaquin Valley for Native American people to unite and work together uplifting the culture and welfare of the Native American students and community. Today, the Native American Student Association carries on the tradition of hosting the annual Fresno State Pow Wow on our campus and actively seeks to raise the social consciousness by creating an environment of awareness and understanding of all Native American people.

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Join Neum NASA

Club meetings are held hybird style both in-person and via zoom. Guests are welcome to bring any medicine to share during the meetings at the offerings table. Come when you can and leave when you need.

Contact email: nasaneum@gmail.com

Co-Advisor: Angelica Robles-Trinh
Co-Advisor: Amber Esquivel
Join Neum today!