A Place of Their Own

UM is home to tribal students form 22 states across the country, but they don't have a place on campus to call their own.

In an effort to right that wrong, the University plans to erect a Native American Studies Center. Unlike other academic buildings, the new structure will be a comprehensive cultural center/academic building/gathering place for native students, a home away from home.

"I think it's a great idea," said Adrian Bear Don't Walk, a Crow business student. On campus two years now, Bear Don't Walk said of his initial encounters with UM, "I didn't see enough Crow. I (still) miss hearing the language."

That sense of being out of place drastically affects Indian student retention, said Salena Hill, a counselor for American Indian Students Services. "It's very important that our students have a place to go," she noted. The AISS offices are currently housed in the Lommasson Center, but "we have no confidentiality," Hill added. The three small rooms open onto each other, disallowing the privacy necessary to council students in crisis, she said. Hill said her organization serves over 250 students per semester.

Right now, Native Student organizations have no set meeting place, either, despite the fact most clubs meet weekly, said Hill. Kiyiyo has organized a growing Northwest Powwow for thirty six years now, she said, but cannot get a meeting room from ASUM.

The new building, designed by Little Shell architect LA Olsen, should change all that. UM Foundation's Julie Horn is coordinating the capital campaign to fund construction. She said the center will be the first of its kind.

"It will be a one-stop shop," she said, with rooms for classes, meeting spaces, counseling services, and cultural activities such as dances and ceremonies. The building, which will be located just east of the Lommasson ceneter, will be a 20,000 square foot wedge, with a unique glass-enclosed circular front designed as a performance/gathering space. A miniature amphitheater, designated the "story-telling place" will be located outside of the building.

The building comes with a price tag of $6 million. Only $1 million has been raised so far, in an effort that began in 2003. Identifying and garnering access to large donors is the hardest part of the process, Horn said. "Buildings are one of the hardest things to raise money for."

States generally don't fund construction of academic buildings. The money has to come from private sources. Most new academic buildings rely on alumni or those with a vested interest in their programs to succeed in their funding goals. Without that base, "we have to find people with money who are willing to part with that money," said Horn.

In an effort to drum up support, both Horn and University Tribal Liaison Linda Juneau visited Montana's seven reservations in December. "They were all very enthusiastic," said Horn, but noted Montana tribes do not have large coffers. Still, all the tribes pledged support, with some offering in-kind donations such as a bison hunt on the Fort Peck Reservation to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Horn said the University needs $5 million in hand before groundbreaking can occur.

Horn hopes to expand fundraising outreach to out-of-state tribes with large gaming revenues, as the center will serve students from all over the country. Even so, "identifying prospects is probably the hardest part of this job," she said.