New Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center opens on campus

By Ava Kershner

In recognition of the Indigenous peoples of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly named its residential community after the Yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash villages.

But the university’s relationship with native knowledge doesn’t stop there.

The new Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center will partner with the American Indian Student Association and the Yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash tribe to help make an intertribal space on campus.

Student Assistant for the new center, Nathalie Zamora said that space is needed more than ever.

“Just finding a space that you can be with community and be yourself, your true authentic self, is a huge deal for any population that feels excluded,” Zamora said.

American Indian Student Association, or AISA, member Alex Reyes said that exclusion has a solution.

“I thought there was a lack of awareness on campus, especially for native students,” Reyes said. “And once I found out about the AISA club, I immediately found my family, my community here.”

Mentorship opportunities, academic support and de-colonial healing workshops will be available at the center, along with native and Indigenous dialogues, films, speakers and more.

The Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center is located in room 114 in the Yakʔitʸutʸu Residence Hall.