CSUSM invites all members of the campus community to participate in the following events.  

Pow Wow Dance Workshops 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 11, 18, 6-8 p.m., Serenity Circle 

Learn the history, meaning and movement of pow wow dancing in this interactive workshop led by Kiara Flores. Celebrate culture, community and tradition through dance. 

Chow on Deck: United in Service – A Celebration of Native American Veterans 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, noon, Epstein Family Veterans Center deck 

American Indian Student Center NAHM Kickoff Event 

Friday, Nov. 7, 5-8 p.m., USU Amphitheater 

CSUSM’s American Indian Student Center invites the campus community to celebrate the start of Native American Heritage Month. The evening will include traditional bird singing, pow wow dancing and storytelling along with food prepared by Chef Carmen of Island Smoke N’ Grill. 

CSUSM Second Annual Social Gathering 

Thursday, Nov. 20, 3-6:30 p.m., Mangrum Track & Field 

The event will feature traditional bird singers and dancers, along with local vendors showcasing Native art and jewelry. All are welcome to join in this celebration of community and culture. 

Note: Due to extenuating circumstances, the social gathering will not be held as scheduled on Nov. 20. It will be postponed until the spring or summer of 2026. For inquiries, you can email communityengagement@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Goodblanket was nervous about checking out the CICSC. She didn’t know anyone on campus and was unsure about going inside. But she mustered the courage to open the door, and all of her anxiety disappeared as she was instantly welcomed.  

Little did she know that she was meeting mentors that day who would help her achieve the career she has today. Through intentional support from faculty and staff and inclusive spaces like the CICSC, CSUSM equips students to lead with identity, purpose and impact. 

“I was looking for that connection to my culture, and I found it on campus,” said Goodblanket, who received a bachelor’s degree in psychological science and a Master of Social Work at CSUSM. “I'm an out-of-state Native. My tribe is from Oklahoma, so I always am searching to reconnect with tribal communities and tribal culture.” 

Goodblanket, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, serves as an Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) court advocate for the Valley Center-based Indian Health Council, which provides health and wellness services for American Indian communities in north San Diego County. Any families involved in a child welfare case, such as a juvenile dependency proceeding, can rely on Goodblanket for support. 

"I work with moms and dads who are struggling with a variety of challenges," Goodblanket said. "One is substance abuse. My job is to support families in doing what they need to do to reunite with their kids if they’re not currently in a place to have them back. I also work with caregivers and family members who have taken placement of the children." 

Goodblanket’s cultural connection is at the heart of her advocacy. Under the ICWA, child welfare agencies must prioritize placing American Indian children with relatives or within their tribal communities whenever possible.  

“Natives are still removed at a disproportionate rate by child welfare services,” Goodblanket said. "When children are disconnected from their culture, their long-term outcomes aren't as strong as those who remain connected. That’s why the cultural component is such a vital part of the work I do." 

As a student, Goodblanket participated in CSUSM’s inaugural “Beyond the Stereotype" campaign to raise awareness about cultural appropriation and the harm caused by stereotypes. Goodblanket and other students were featured on posters across campus that challenged common misconceptions about underrepresented groups. She emphasized the need to raise awareness about issues like missing and murdered Indigenous women and the harmful sexualization of Native women through stereotypes and costumes, which contribute to broader societal perceptions and injustice. 

"Maya demonstrates how education driven by purpose and cultural knowledge creates lasting change,” said Joely Proudfit, chair of the American Indian studies department and director of the CICSC. “CSUSM remains grateful for her transformative impact, particularly through her leadership in the award-winning 'Beyond the Stereotype' campaign, where she challenged cultural appropriation with authenticity and understanding.” 

Goodblanket didn’t expect the campaign to have such a large impact, and its widespread presence across campus was surprising but meaningful.  

"I think it was really important to take that stance and just stand up,” she said. “And I think that's what college is all about.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

During a deeply moving celebration last week honoring American Indian and Alaska Native graduates at Cal State San Marcos, leaders from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation stepped forward to make history. In an act that will reverberate through generations, they formally presented a $3 million endowment gift to the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC), the largest single gift in the university's history dedicated to Indigenous education and research. 

The moment transcended a simple transaction. In a reciprocal gesture steeped in tradition and meaning, the CICSC presented the tribe with a one-of-a-kind painting entitled "The Gift," created by Eric Tippeconnic (Comanche), a CSUSM American Indian studies professor and celebrated artist whose work bridges Native culture through contemporary expression. The exchange served as a heartfelt tribute to an enduring relationship rooted in mutual respect, shared values and a commitment to Native student success. 

“This gift represents more than financial support; it embodies the strength of our partnerships and our collective belief in the transformative power of Indigenous education,” said Joely Proudfit (Payómkawichum, Tongva), director of the CICSC and chair of American Indian studies. “When tribal nations invest in higher education, they are not just supporting individual students; they are affirming tribal sovereignty, cultural continuity and the inherent right of our people to define our own futures. This endowment will create pathways for Native students who might otherwise never see the possibility of higher education, ensuring that our voices, our knowledge systems and our ways of knowing continue to flourish in academic spaces." 

A Partnership Forged in Vision and Reciprocity 

“We are deeply honored by this generous investment from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This historic gift affirms the work we’ve accomplished and progress we’ve made, while underscoring the power of tribal-university partnerships to build a more inclusive future – one that uplifts Native voices, values Indigenous knowledge systems and reflects our shared commitment to meaningful collaboration and student success.” 

The relationship between Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and CSUSM began more than a decade ago as a seed of possibility. When the tribe contributed nearly $1 million to help launch the university's CICSC, they weren't just funding a program – they were investing in a vision of what Indigenous education could become. Since then, the CICSC has evolved into a nationally recognized beacon for Native student success, groundbreaking research and transformative community engagement, serving as both a vital resource for California tribal communities and a blueprint for Indigenous-led initiatives in higher education nationwide. 

Building Legacy, Transforming Lives 

“Moments like this reflect the legacy we're building together – not just for today, but for the generations of Native leaders yet to come,” said Johnny Hernandez, vice chairman of the Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel. “We thank CSUSM for creating a space that truly amplifies Native voices and honors tribal perspectives with the respect they deserve. This investment will be transformational for generations to come – providing the resources needed to continue championing education, cultural preservation and the sovereignty of Native nations.” 

As students, faculty, tribal leaders and community members gathered to honor Native American graduates, the ceremony underscored the profound influence of the CICSC, the only center of its kind in the California State University system. The timing was no coincidence; this gift was presented during a celebration of achievement, surrounded by the living embodiment of what such investments make possible. 

When You Build It, They Will Come 

With one of the highest per capita populations of American Indian and Alaska Native students in California, CSUSM has established itself as more than an educational institution – it has become a thriving intellectual home where Indigenous excellence flourishes. The university's commitment goes beyond enrollment numbers; it encompasses a holistic approach to Native student success that honors both academic achievement and cultural identity, creating an environment where students can pursue rigorous scholarship while remaining deeply connected to Indigenous knowledge and community values. 

CICSC alumni serve as living testaments to this approach. They have gone on to hold leadership positions in tribal government, shape public policy at state and federal levels, and make meaningful contributions as educators who carry both Western knowledge and traditional teachings, artists who preserve and evolve cultural expression, health professionals who serve their communities with cultural competency, and cultural preservationists who ensure that Indigenous knowledge flows to future generations. 

An Enduring Investment in Tomorrow 

This $3 million endowment, amplified by a $1 million match contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation, represents more than monetary value. It is an investment in sovereignty, cultural continuity and the radical act of ensuring that Native students see themselves reflected in the halls of higher education. It will support scholarships, fund innovative research that centers Indigenous knowledge, expand community outreach programs and create new pathways for Native students to pursue their dreams while staying connected to their cultural roots. 

In a world where Indigenous peoples continue to fight for recognition, respect and resources, this partnership between Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and CSUSM stands as a powerful example of what becomes possible when mutual respect meets genuine commitment to change. It demonstrates that when tribal nations and institutions of higher education work together as true partners, they can create ripple effects that extend far beyond campus boundaries, touching communities across Indian Country and beyond. 

As the ceremony concluded and graduates prepared to take their next steps into the world, they carried with them not only their degrees but also the knowledge that their success is part of a larger story, one of resilience, partnership and the firm belief that Indigenous voices and knowledge have always belonged in every space, especially those where the future is being shaped.  

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The "State of American Indian and Alaska Native Education in California 2024" report, funded by CSUSM, shows that while AIAN high school graduation rates improved substantially from 70.54% in 2017-18 to 78.76% in 2021-2022, other critical metrics indicate ongoing disparities that require systematic change.

"While we celebrate the dramatic decrease in dropout rates from 53.53% to 13.53% over the past five years, we cannot ignore that our AIAN students continue to face significant barriers to academic success," said Joely Proudfit, director of the CICSC. "The pandemic has particularly impacted our communities, with absenteeism rates more than doubling from 21.3% to 43.6%."

Importantly, the report also highlights innovative and positive solutions and approaches.

“Our research highlights transformative programs that are moving the needle for AIAN student success,” Proudfit said. “By weaving together proven high-impact practices with culturally responsive approaches, we're creating stronger pathways to both higher education and career opportunities.”

The report, unveiled at Harrah's Resort Southern California on the Rincon reservation in Valley Center, brought together State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, tribal leaders, educators and parents to address these critical findings. The comprehensive study examines data across K-12 and higher education systems, revealing both promising trends and areas of concern.

"This report serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action," Thurmond said. "The increased college-going rate from 47.4% to 55.9% shows that our efforts are bearing fruit, but the declining enrollment numbers in our community colleges and persistent achievement gaps in math and English language arts remind us that our work is far from complete."

Key findings include:

• a decrease in AIAN student population from 34,704 in 2015-2016 to 26,108 in 2022-2023.
• declining enrollment in California community colleges from 8,520 in 2018 to 6,575 in 2022.
• a reduction in undergraduate degrees awarded in both the UC and CSU systems.
• higher UC enrollment rates compared to CSU for AIAN students between 2018-2022.

The report spotlights successful programs driving AIAN student success, including California Indian Education for All, the Native Scholars Pathway program and strategic community college initiatives. These evidence-based approaches combine high-impact research practices with culturally responsive programming to strengthen both college access and workforce development, while highlighting the ongoing need for AIAN educators.

The report proposes transformative recommendations to advance AIAN student success, including sustainable funding for Native American curriculum development, reformed student identification protocols and expanded support systems. Key priorities include establishing American Indian student success centers across campuses, implementing comprehensive tuition and housing support for AIAN students, and developing dedicated Native American colleges within the CSU system – all critical steps toward educational equity and tribal sovereignty in higher education.

"We're at a crucial turning point," CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "The data clearly shows that when we invest in culturally responsive support systems and maintain strong partnerships with tribal communities, our students thrive. It's time to scale these successful practices across our educational systems."

The CICSC report comes almost a decade after the previous study released in 2016.

For more information or to download the report online, visit www.csusm.edu/cicsc/projects/education-report.html.

About the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center

The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) stands as a cornerstone of California Indigenous excellence at California State University San Marcos, where academic innovation meets tribal knowledge. As a premier research hub, CICSC advances Indigenous knowledge while cultivating the next generation of Native leaders. Our mission drives strategic partnerships with tribal nations to conduct groundbreaking research that strengthens Native communities and upholds tribal sovereignty. Through collaborative relationships between CSUSM faculty, staff, students and tribal communities, CICSC champions research initiatives that honor and preserve Indigenous ways of knowing, traditional lands, cultural practices and community values. The center's work reinforces tribal self-determination while fostering deeper connections between academia and Native nations. The CICSC mission is to foster collaborative research and community service relationships between the faculty, staff and students at CSUSM and members of tribal communities for the purpose of developing and conducting research projects that support the maintenance of sovereignty and culture within those communities.

CSUSM invites the campus community to honor Native American Heritage Month through the following events. 

Tukwut Coloring Contest 

Nov. 1-30

Pick up a coloring page at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, located in Social and Behavioral Sciences Building 1118. Coloring is from Nov. 1-15, with pages to be dropped off at the center. From Nov. 16-30, people can vote for their favorites on the Instagram page of the American Indian Student Alliance (@csusm_aisa). A winner will be announced on Nov. 30 and given a prize. 

Exhibit Reception at the Sasse Museum of Art

Saturday, Nov. 2, 1-3 p.m., Sasse Museum 

Join us for the gallery viewing of featured artists Dr. Eric Tippeconnic, Monica Zavala and Lanise Luna. 

Rep Your Tribe Spirit Day 

Monday, Nov. 4

Come dressed in your tribal gear to show representation of what tribe you are from.

Honoring Native American Veterans Social 

Tuesday, Nov. 5, noon-1 p.m., Veterans Center

Join us as we honor Native veterans. 

Beading Workshop

Wednesday, Nov. 6, noon-1 p.m., CICSC (SBSB 1118)

Learn how to create beadwork with the help of an instructor. Supplies are included.

Traditional Bow Making Workshop

Thursday, Nov. 7, noon-5 p.m., CICSC (SBSB courtyard)

Come learn how to create a traditional bow with Dr. Stan Rodriguez. Instruction will take place from noon-1 p.m., and the workshop area will be open from noon-5 p.m.

Rock Your Mocs Week

Nov. 10-16

Take advantage of a positive opportunity to be united and celebrate tribal individuality by wearing moccasins. We honor our ancestors and Indigenous peoples worldwide during Rock Your Mocs events.

Native Fashion Day

Tuesday, Nov. 12

Rock all your beadwork, including medallions, earrings and lanyards. Accessorize your wardrobe with your favorite ribbon dress or ribbon skirt.

‘Reservation Dogs’ Marathon

Wednesday, Nov. 13, CICSC (SBSB 1118)

Join us to enjoy a full day of watching the acclaimed TV show “Reservation Dogs.” Snacks will be provided.

Outdoor Native Movie Night

Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m., Serenity Circle

Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy some snacks.

Storytelling Under the Stars With Dr. Stan Rodriguez

Thursday, Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m., Serenity Circle

Bring your chairs and blankets and join us for our annual storytelling event. We will provide hot drinks and treats.

Read a Native American Children's Book Day

Monday, Nov. 18

Decolonize and indigenize your reading. For a full book list, visit caindianeducationforall.com.

AISA Gathering and Bird Social

Thursday, Nov. 21, 5-8 p.m. 

Come join us for an evening of bird dancing and singing.

College Motivation Day

Friday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., USU Ballroom

Join us for college readiness workshops, a campus tour, raffles and more.

‘Dark Winds’ Marathon 

Wednesday, Nov. 27, CICSC (SBSB 1118)

Join us to enjoy a full day of watching the TV show “Dark Winds.” Snacks will be provided.

Media Contact

Jerry McCormick, Director of Strategic Communications

jmccormick@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-4010

As a transfer student from MiraCosta College, Smith’s arrival at Cal State San Marcos was a frightening one. She worried that she again would feel isolated in a new environment. But Smith not only found a place where she felt fully accepted, she found a new place to call home.  

"Cheyenne exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and scholarly excellence that we hold dear at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC)," said Joely Proudfit, one of Smith's mentors and the director of the CICSC. "Throughout her time at CSUSM, she has profoundly impacted her peers, the campus and the broader community through her unwavering kindness, empathy and dedication to service.”  

While much of Smith’s family identifies as white, her father is American Indian, having been adopted into a white family. It was with her father’s help that Smith learned to embrace her Lakota heritage and its traditions. But she always craved more.

After her parents divorced, Smith lived with her mother in Oceanside, losing some of the closeness she had with her father. Neither of her parents had earned a college degree – her father was in the military and her mother became pregnant with Smith while enrolled in college. However, this fueled Smith’s desire to become the first in her family to graduate from college and follow her passions. 

“I think I just want to be an inspiration to them,” Smith said.

Smith spent most of her first two years of college quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving her few opportunities to connect with her peers or other students like herself. 

“I was trapped inside, there was nothing happening,” she said. “I felt like I was not progressing.” 

That began to change after she transferred to CSUSM in 2022.  

During her first year, Smith joined the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA), which turned into a life-changing experience as she discovered a sense of community, pride in her heritage and mentors like Proudfit, American Indian studies professor Eric Tippeconnic and CICSC program specialist Monica Zavala. For the first time, Smith felt like she belonged and was encouraged to embrace her identity.  

“Through AISA, I saw not only people who presented strongly as Indigenous, but also people who looked similar to me and didn’t see themselves as less Indigenous,” Smith said.  

Even with this new community, college life still proved to be challenging. Struggling with severe anxiety and depression during her second semester at CSUSM, Smith began to seclude herself and stopped attending classes. She spent most of that time tucked away in her bed, ignoring worried messages from professors, friends and mentors. She dreaded facing pressure from school and her personal life. 

“I feel like I did have a lot of support during that time that I just wasn't willing to take,” she said. “I do regret not taking advantage of the support my friends and professors offered me. They were doing the best they could. They knew something was wrong with me because it was not like me to just disappear like that.” 

Smith failed most of her classes that semester, but it was also a turning point that changed the course of her academic journey. Once more, Smith turned toward AISA and her support system.  

Smith started attending classes again, elevated her academic standing and searched for opportunities to advance in her career path. During her search, a friend from AISA encouraged Smith to apply for a position in psychology professor Kim Pulvers’ research lab for a Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Cannabis Waste Randomized Control Trial (TECW RCT). Smith is grateful to Pulvers for looking past her grades from the previous semester and recognizing her potential.  

The TECW RCT became a great opportunity for Smith to garner more experience working as a counselor and preparing to become a social worker. Smith also became involved in the CICSC, through which she has helped spread awareness of the benefits of American Indian student centers on college campuses. Even though there were some bumps in the road, Smith came back more determined than ever, inspired to help people like her in the same way that CSUSM, AISA and CICSC had helped her. 

 “I'm probably the most at peace I've ever been,” Smith said. 

Smith is motivated by the words of Tippeconnic, one of her mentors, who told her, “A win for you is a win for the community.” For the next year, she will further her research at CSUSM, this time as a faculty member, before attending graduate school. She has her sights on eventually becoming a social worker for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women organization, helping American Indian women feel supported in their efforts to combat violence against Native people.  

“As she transitions from our halls to the broader stages of professional life and graduate studies, we are filled with pride and anticipation,” Proudfit said. “Cheyenne's commitment to serving both the American Indian community and society at large promises to forge paths of positive change and enduring impact. We are excited to see the remarkable contributions she will undoubtedly make in her future endeavors.” 

At commencement, Smith will walk across the stage to accept her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, proudly representing her Indigenous heritage by donning a hand-beaded hummingbird on her cap.  

“Hummingbirds represent healing and transformation,” she said. “I feel like I really resonate with that.”  

At CSUSM, Smith has gained much more than just a degree. She found a home that helped her heal and transform into a proud biracial woman who’s ready to spread her wings. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

CSUSM invites the campus community to honor Native American Heritage Month through the following events. 

Screening of ‘Native America’ 

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m., USU Ballroom

Celebrate the power of Native American women by joining us for a screening of the popular PBS series “Native America.” Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with special guests Arigon Starr, Betty Osceola, Jennifer Johns and Paige Bethmann.

Community Coloring Contest

Nov. 1-30

Pick up a coloring page at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, located in Social and Behavioral Science Building 1118. Coloring is from Nov. 1-15, with pages being dropped off at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center. From Nov. 16-30, people can vote for their favorites on the Instagram page of the American Indian Student Alliance (@csusm_aisa). A winner will be announced on Nov. 30 and given a prize. 

Read a Native American Children's Book Day 

Friday, Nov. 3

Indigenize your reading by checking out a Native American children’s book on the California Indian Education For All website. 

Represent Your Tribal Nation Day

Monday, Nov. 6

Dress in your tribal gear to represent your tribe.

Storytelling With Dr. Stan Rodriguez 

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m., Serenity Circle (outside of SBSB) 

Enjoy snacks while learning about traditional Kumeyaay stories with Dr. Stan Rodriguez. 

Honor Our American Indian Veterans Day 

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Recognize and honor American Indian veterans on and off campus.  

Kumeyaay Bingo With Miss Kumeyaay

Thursday, Nov. 9, 5 p.m., SBSB courtyard

Come play bingo with Harmony Sweetgrass, this year’s Miss Kumeyaay Nation. Sweetgrass is the first Miss Kumeyaay Nation competitor from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, making her the first person from her band to hold the title in the pageant’s two-decade history. 

Rock Your Mocs Week

Nov. 13-17

During Spirit Week, we’re offering a positive opportunity to be united and celebrate tribal individuality and diversity by wearing moccasins. 

Tukwut Paint Night 

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 5 p.m., SBSB courtyard 

Come join a fun night of painting. All supplies are included. 

‘Spirit Rangers’ Marathon 

Wednesday, Nov. 15, SBSB 1118

Join us for a full day of watching the television show “Spirit Rangers.”

AISA Potluck

Thursday, Nov. 16, SBSB 1118

All American Indian students are welcome to stop by for a potluck sponsored by the American Indian Student Alliance. 

Read an American Indian Book 

Friday, Nov. 17

Read a book by an American Indian author.

Movie Day

Monday, Nov. 20, SBSB 1118

The CICSC will be showcasing the films “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World,” “Smoke Signals” and “Prey.”

Beadwork Day

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Rock all your beadwork, including medallions, earrings and lanyards. 

Ribbon Skirt & Shirt Day

Wednesday, Nov. 22 

Accessorize your wardrobe with your favorite ribbon dress or skirt. 

Cards for Decolonization Game Day

Monday, Nov. 27, SBSB 1118

Come play the game “Cards for Decolonization.”

Gourd Ornament Workshop 

Tuesday, Nov. 28, noon, SBSB courtyard

Decorate a gourd ornament to celebrate the holiday season. 

‘Dark Winds’ Marathon 

Wednesday, Nov. 29, SBSB 1118

Join us at the CICSC for a full day of watching the TV show “Dark Winds.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Now more commonly referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, the month-long celebration has origins that date back more than 100 years. By 1990, President George H.W. Bush officially designated November as Native American Heritage Month.

For Cal State San Marcos, the month holds special significance.

The university has long-standing partnerships with local tribal communities and continues to lead the way in advocacy and educational equity efforts. Cal State San Marcos has the largest per capita number of American Indian students in the 23-campus CSU system, and is the only one to experience consistent grow. CSUSM was the first to establish a Native Advisory Council, the first to hire a full-time tribal liaison, the first to create a guaranteed admission pathway for American Indian students, and in 2011 opened the first-of-its-kind California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC), which is focused on collaborative research and cultural preservation. 

In 2019, the CICSC and American Indian Studies department, in partnership with Palomar College and the Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association, established a comprehensive Land Acknowledgement toolkit to encourage academic communities to recognize the original nations on whose land we live, learn and work.

Cal State San Marcos invites the campus community to honor Native American Heritage Month through a series of special events.

Story Time Under the Stars
Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m., Serenity Circle (outside of SBSB)

Join CSUSM American Indian studies lecturer Stan Rodriguez (Kumeyaay-Iipay) for a storytelling session. Rodriguez recently was appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Vision Maker Media Online Screening and Virtual Panel
Nov. 11, 4 p.m.

Join Vision Maker Media for a Veterans Day virtual panel titled “Returning Home Through Togetherness: What Does It Mean to Be a Warrior?” Native veterans of warrior societies will talk about their roles and responsibilities as providers and defenders of their tribe, community and culture.

‘Reservation Dogs’ Marathon
Nov. 12, all day, SBSB 1118

From co-creators and executive producers Sterling Harjo and Taika Waititi, “Reservation Dogs” is a half-hour comedy on Hulu that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. The show is a breakthrough in representation in that every writer, director and series regular on the show is Indigenous.

Rock Your Mocs
Nov. 14-20

Established 2011, Rock Your Mocs is a worldwide Native American and Indigenous peoples virtual unity event held annually in November. During Rock Your Mocs, people wear their moccasins, take a photo, create a video or story, add the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS and upload to social media to celebrate tribal individuality.

CICSC 10th Anniversary Reception
Nov. 17, 6 p.m., SBSB 1118

Join the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center as it celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its doors opening in 2011.

‘The Thanksgiving Play’
Nov. 17-20, 7 p.m., Arts 111

Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. Tickets start at $8 and can be purchased here.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

That is the main discovery of a recent survey conducted by a group of nonprofit organizations led by the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at Cal State San Marcos.

The survey found that one in four American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) students in the state does not have access to a computer and reliable internet access.

The findings, released in late August, were based on an online survey in an effort to support AIAN students in California who have been historically underserved. The survey was conducted in May and June and represented 97 tribes. The research study received Institutional Review Board approval in accordance with CSUSM procedures for research involving human subjects.

The CICSC led the survey along with the nonprofit California Indian Education for All. Other partners were the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center and the San Diego County Office of Education.

“The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center was proud to take the lead on this survey,” said Joely Proudfit, the center’s director and the chair of the American Indian studies department at CSUSM. “COVID-19 has made visible the structural inequities that plague our education systems, and nowhere is that more evident than within our California AIAN student populations. We look forward to working with educators, policymakers, parents and advocates to address the inequities and better serve our AIAN K-12 students in California.”

The research team found that child care has been an ongoing challenge for families, with nearly half of those surveyed experiencing gaps. In other key takeaways from the survey:

• 44% of respondents reported a learning difference or disability.
• 13% of respondents said they had no access to a specialist for their special needs’ child due to COVID-19, and 19% said they had only limited access.
• More than 40% of families surveyed said they rely on their school for meals.
• Nearly one in 10 families said there is sometimes or often not enough to eat at home.
• 36% of students’ psychological well-being has worsened due to COVID-19.
• Nearly 70% of students are not getting enough physical exercise as a result of COVID-19.
• 45% of families experienced a decrease in income during the pandemic.

“I want to thank all the organizations that participated in this review of COVID-19’s path of destruction in our communities,” said James C. Ramos, who represents the 40^th District in the California State Assembly and is a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation in San Bernardino County.

“Their findings revealed what we suspected – the disease was especially vicious among communities of color. In my own American Indian Alaska Native community, the mortality rate was almost two times that of white people. The study also begins the process of digging deeper into why these communities suffered disproportionally to their populations. It is critical that studies like these continue so that we can undertake the difficult work of remedying disparities.”

About the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center

The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) fosters collaborative research and community service relationships between the faculty, staff and students of Cal State San Marcos and members of tribal communities, for the purpose of developing and conducting research projects that support the maintenance of sovereignty and culture within those communities. For more information, visit www.csusm.edu/cicsc. Follow the center on Facebook and Instagram.

The students are attending CSUSM through a recently awarded grant called Graduating American Indians into Nursing (GAIN). Funding for the grant didn’t become official until shortly before the start of the fall semester, which meant working fast to get the students on campus.

Fortunately, Dr. Deborah Morton, an assistant professor of public health and the co-principal investigator on the grant, had already identified potential students for the program thanks to help from Geneva Lofton-Fitzsimmons and Dr. Joely Proudfit.

Dr. Denise Boren, co-principal investigator and the director of the School of Nursing, then worked to ensure a smooth enrollment process. The students visited campus on the Friday before classes started for a quick meeting and dived right into the program the following week.

“It was a miracle,” said Mary Sandoval, one of the students enrolled in the master’s program. “This came to me and I couldn’t believe it was true. I think everybody in the program had that same experience.”

The grant covers tuition, books, fees and a stipend of $1,500 per month for each student. Funding was for six students, but one had to withdraw, a void Boren and Morton will try to fill next fall.

Boren is stepping down from her role as School of Nursing director at the end of the academic year to focus on grants and being more directly involved with the GAIN students. The move will also allow her to take on additional responsibilities related to the grant, and she is optimistic that will free up additional funds to add a couple more students through the grant.

“Nurses spend so much time with patients,” Boren said. “It’s really important to have nurses who understand the American Indian culture.”

Morton said the grant had covered the same four universities for over 20 years. However, she said spots opened up for newcomers because two of the universities became self-sufficient and no longer needed to rely on the grant. That opened the door for CSUSM.

“We have a nursing shortage in California and we have more American Indians than any other state,” Morton said. “It was a great opportunity for us.”

Mary has been working as a nurse for Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health for nearly 20 years. She has long wanted to pursue her master’s, but didn’t have the means to do so while working full time and raising five children.

While her children are now adults, she is still paying off her undergraduate loans and working full time. But the GAIN grant has enabled her to pursue her master’s while continuing to work.

Mary’s niece, Nesune Madrigal, is another of the students who is attending CSUSM through the GAIN grant.

Nesune attended Mt. San Jacinto College and had been considering transferring to CSUSM to pursue her bachelor’s in nursing. Once the grant became a reality, it made for an easy decision.

“I got a call on a Friday about a week before fall semester,” Nesune said. “I was shocked and overwhelmed. It’s such an honor to be chosen to go into the program knowing how competitive it is to get in. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”

Nesune said that Boren was instrumental in not only making the accelerated enrollment process go smoothly, but also ensuring that the students have access to all of the resources necessary to succeed.

“It’s not just their academics,” Boren said. “We want to make sure everything is OK in their personal life and that they have everything they need to be successful in the program.”

One of the requirements of the grant is that students, upon graduation, are required to spend an equal amount of time working in an Indian Health Service-approved clinic in their new jobs for scholarship payback. For the CSUSM students, that means committing three years after graduation to working for an Indian Health Service-approved clinic. That commitment aligns perfectly with the goals of Mary and Nesune, who both want to help improve healthcare for American Indians.

“I want other children and young people who come in to see me there doing that job so that they might be encouraged to do the same thing and hopefully increase the number of American Indian healthcare providers that we’ll have at our clinics,” Mary said.

Said Nesune: “I want to take what I learn back to my reservation and my tribal community where it’s greatly needed. We really need more of our people in the medical field. There definitely can be improvements. I want to be part of that improvement and bringing our people forward in healthcare.”

The 2016 document builds on past reports, released in 2012 and 2014, which document the gaps in education for AI/ANs in California, and the promising practices taking place at California universities to help bridge some of these gaps.

Funded by a generous donation of $500,000 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the report compiles publicly available data to provide information about AI/ANs in the K-12, California State University and University of California systems. The data includes enrollment and graduation rates, dropout rates, number of degrees conferred and number of personnel by race/ethnicity. The information contained in the report is particularly valuable given that California has the largest AI/AN population of any other state in the U.S. and, historically, AI/AN students drop out of high school at higher rates than their peers.

“For American Indian people in particular, the need for education to sustain the milestones and achievements that our tribal ancestors and leaders have worked so hard to build is paramount,” said Joely Proudfit, director of the CICSC. “This report provides a case study for the creation of a 21st century model to recruit, retain, serve and graduate American Indian students from a public university.”

AI/AN High School Graduation Rate in Decline Since 2010

The report indicates that the high school graduation rate for AI/AN students has decreased by nearly 11 percent since 2010, from 3,169 students to 2,830. Although 1.4 percent more students in the 2014 cohort of AI/AN graduates met the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) requirements for college entry, they were still well below their peers: 21.8 percent below White students, 5.5 percent below Hispanic/Latino students and 4.3 percent below African American students.

“The data continues to show that the educational pipeline for AI/AN students is leaking; we are losing our kids along the way,” said Proudfit. “Not only are we graduating fewer AI/AN students, but these students are also lagging behind other groups in terms of college readiness.”

AI/AN Enrollments Rebound at California Community Colleges and Decline at California State Universities

According to the report, there have been declines and slight rebounds in AI/AN enrollments in post-secondary education since 2011.

The enrollment rate for AI/AN at community colleges has increased by 1,037 students in the past four years—a higher pace than both the UC and CSU systems. But while enrollment growth is increasing, data shows that the majority of AI/AN community college students are not continuing on an academic trajectory toward a four-year degree.

The CSU system enrolled more AI/AN First-Time Freshman (FTF) than the UC system eight out of the last 12 years. However, beginning in 2008, the UC AI/AN enrollment of first-time freshman began to increase over the CSU. At that point CSU AI/AN enrollment of FTF declined by 50 percent a year for six years, while UC enrollment increased by 20 percent over the same time period.

The CICSC research team strongly believes that an important factor impacting the data tracking AI/AN FTF and transfer student enrollment has to do with the reporting requirements from the Department of Education in regard to racial/ethnic identification.

“We detail this dilemma in the report,” said Proudfit. “The issue has to do with the way that Hispanic/Latino data rises to the top of reporting requirements or the way that mixed-heritage individuals are placed in the default category of ‘Two or More Races.’ What we believe is happening and reflected in the plateau for AI/AN enrollments is that it is really a false decline in this ‘Single Race’ category because we know that many AI/AN people have multiple heritages, but politically and culturally identify as AI/AN. Given the unique political distinction of AI/AN people it seems logical and necessary that changes to these data reporting policies be made because our numbers are not insignificant and every one of our students identifying as AI/AN should be counted on their own and then in conjunction with one or more races if that is what is reported.”

CSUSM’s Commitment to Native American Students and Tribal Communities

CSUSM has made enormous strides in educational equity in Southern California and has become an intellectual home for many marginalized and underserved groups. For the third year in a row, CSUSM has hit a record-breaking number of American Indian students enrolling for the fall semester.

In fall 2015 the newly formed American Indian Studies (AIS) department completed a five-year academic strategic plan. The mission of the AIS Department is to provide students with a research, community, and place-based program of study through an integrated approach to understanding tribal knowledge. Students in AIS learn to work effectively with and for Original Nations and tribal communities as they interface with non-Indian communities to exercise tribal sovereignty.

“This is not the end of our work and research on the state of American Indian education in California, but merely a new starting point for our journey forward together,” said Proudfit.

For more information, download the report online.

“I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country,” said President Obama. “They bring their years of experience and expertise to the Administration, and I look forward to working with them.”

Proudfit, chair of the Department of American Indian Studies and director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at CSUSM, will serve on the council, which was established under the Indian Education Act of 1972. The council is tasked with advising the Secretary of Education and Congress on the administration and funding of Alaska Native and American Indian education programs.

“We are very proud of Dr. Proudfit’s appointment to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education,” said CSUSM President Karen Haynes. “She has been a champion educator and scholar. Her research and work have been integral to our university’s efforts to address the serious challenges facing American Indian students, and we are proud to have the highest per-capita number, and the only increasing number, of American Indian students in the 23-campus CSU system. Furthermore, her work as the founding director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, in collaboration with our Tribal Liaison, has nurtured transformational relationships with tribal partners in our efforts to increase the educational access and success of American Indian students in our region.”

In his announcement on Friday, President Obama appointed six other individuals to key Administration posts, including:

• David Benton – Member, Arctic Research Commission
• Phyliss J. Anderson – Member, National Advisory Council on Indian Education
• Mandy Broaddus – Member, National Advisory Council on Indian Education
• Dahkota Kicking Bear Brown – Member, National Advisory Council on Indian Education
• Robert O. Carr – Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council
• Keith T. Parker – Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council

“I am honored to accept President Obama's appointment to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education,” said Proudfit. “California is home to more than 110 American Indian tribes and thousands of American Indian/Alaska Native youth and it is time to acknowledge the daunting challenges facing them as we preserve our heritage and honor our traditions through commitments to the cultural values—responsibility, reciprocity, respect and relationships— that define us.”

ISHI is a new work written by Luna that explores the story of Ishi, who was claimed to be the last known member of the Yahi, a group of the Yana people in California. Studied by anthropology professors at the University of California, Berkeley in the 1910s, he was mistakenly characterized as the “last wild Indian,” and treated as a curiosity by the public until he died from tuberculosis in 1916. Luna and Skinner’s performance involves archival videos and photos, a scrolling narrative and powerful monologues that give a voice to Ishi today.

“The Archive performance brings forth native perspectives on Ishi's legacy and the era of history he experienced,” said Joely Proudfit, associate professor of American Indian Studies and director of the Center for Indian Culture and Sovereignty (CICSC). “Native perspectives were commonly overshadowed by historians, anthropologists and others who romanticized and sensationalized Ishi's story. Dr. Luna's performance gives a voice to survival, adaptation, cultural integrity and the power of healing with humor.”

Hosted by the CICSC, the Department of American Indian Studies and the Office of the Tribal Liaison, ISHI is free and open to the public, including complimentary parking in Parking Structure 1 on the sixth floor. Please RSVP to cicsc@csusm.edu or call 760-750-3535.

What: ISHI: The Archive Performance, written and performed by acclaimed Native American artists James Luna and Sheila Tishla Skinner.

When: Saturday, September 12 – 4:30 p.m. reception, 5:45 p.m. performance

Where: CSUSM, Arts Building, Room 111

Tickets: Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please RSVP to cicsc@csusm.edu or call 760-750-3535 to reserve your ticket.

Directions and Parking: CSUSM is located at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. Complimentary parking is available in the Parking Structure on the sixth floor only. Follow directional signs or visit the CSUSM website for a map and directions: www.csusm.edu/guide.

American Indian Heritage Month Kick-Off: Celebration of Song and Dance

Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Student Union

Enjoy a performance by bird singers, drummers and dancers and wear your green Civility T-shirt or learn how to earn your own!

Open House at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center

Friday, Nov. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. in SBSB 1118

The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) is a welcoming place for students, faculty, staff and members of all tribal communities. Come out and meet the students and staff of the center, the first of its kind in the state of California, focused on serving the unique needs of American Indian students by conducting original research and preserving the cultural heritage and languages of tribal communities.

American Indian Myth Busters: Ask an American Indian Day

Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center - SBSB 118

Second Annual San Diego American Indian Film Festival

Thursday, Nov. 20 – Saturday, Nov. 22

The San Diego American Indian Film Festival (SDAIFF) is offering audiences in San Diego County the finest work in American Indian film and media on an annual basis. The SDAIFF will highlight the best of current films from American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors working through Indian Country.

Watch the SDAIFF's promotion reel below and then visit the official website or Facebook page, for more information and tickets. 

The recently released “State of American Indian and Alaskan Native Education in California 2014” report authored by the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) builds on a previous report released in 2012.

Made possible through a generous $500,000 gift by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the report compiles publicly available data to provide much-needed information about AI/ANs in the K-12, California State University and University of California systems. The data includes: enrollment and graduation rates, dropout rates, number of degrees conferred and number of personnel by race/ethnicity. The information contained in the report is particularly valuable given that California has the largest AI/AN population of any other state in the U.S. and, historically, AI/AN students drop out of high school at higher rates than their peers.

“The second year report shines a brighter light on where and when the decline in AI/AN enrollment is occurring, specifically within the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems,” wrote State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in the report’s introduction.

AI/AN Students Fall Below State Achievement Levels for High School Graduation

The report confirmed the need for greater efforts to prepare K-12 students for high school graduation and entry into college.

“American Indian and Alaska Native high school students are graduating at rates six percent below the state average for other ethnic groups,” said co-author of the report, CICSC Director Joely Proudfit. “Even more troubling is the statistic that less than 25 percent of AI/AN high school graduates meet CSU/UC requirements for college admission.”

In fact the report shows that only 24.9 percent of AI/AN students are prepared to enter California’s four-year public university systems versus the state average of 38.3 percent.

Furthermore, at 18.5 percent the AI/AN dropout rate for 2011-12 remains higher than all other ethnic/racial groups in California except for Hispanics/Latinos, despite the fact that AI/ANs comprise only 1.9 percent of state demographics and Hispanics/Latinos comprise 37 percent of the state’s population.

AI/AN Enrollments Decline at California Community Colleges and California State Universities

Among the findings outlined in the report is the startling realization that the numbers of AI/AN students at community colleges and CSUs are declining despite the fact that enrollments at UCs are increasing. The enrollment rates from fall 2011 to fall 2012 at community colleges show a decline of 16 percent while the enrollment rate during the same time period at CSUs declined 61 percent. Meanwhile, the UC system saw an increase of 67 percent in AI/AN students enrolled from fall 2011 to fall 2012.

“The steady decline in the overall annual enrollment rate of AI/AN students in the CSU seems to indicate that we are admitting more students but they are dropping out—we are not retaining them once they get here,” said Proudfit.

Despite these troubling statistics, the report profiles institutions of higher learning which are involved in providing community outreach, student support and academic resources to assist AI/AN students achieve their post-secondary education.

CSUSM’s Commitment to Native American Students and Tribal Communities

Cal State San Marcos has an institutional commitment to American Indian education. Its record of tribal community engagement includes the implementation of a Tribal Initiative through which the University is exponentially increasing its recruitment, retention and graduation of American Indian students.

In 2004, the University hired a full-time tribal liaison, which remains the only position of its kind in the California State University system. That same year President Karen Haynes established the University’s Native Advisory Council, comprised of representatives from most neighboring tribes and tribal education leaders. In 2011, the University opened the CICSC which, in addition to conducting important research, hosts community events such as the annual San Diego American Indian Film Festival, which allows prospective and current students to share their experiences with the community.

In addition the University has a MOU with the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel (also known as the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Indians), guaranteeing admission to all high school graduates who meet minimum CSU admission requirements. Cal State San Marcos also provides annual tribal-University events like the Tribal Education Summit and the President’s Report to Tribal Nations.

In support of its mission, the CICSC recently received a gift commitment of $200,000 from the Pala Band of Mission Indians as well as a gift of $100,000 from the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

“We are proud of the relationships that we have nurtured with our tribal partners who are fully engaged in working with us to ensure our regional American Indian students are receiving the support they need to be successful in today’s 21st century world,” said Proudfit. “We have seen firsthand the transformational impact of our strategies and we are passionate about continuing this important work to raise the educational attainment rate of our Native students.”

In 2012, CSUSM graduated 24 American Indian students with bachelors and masters degrees. The promising practices and relationships are ensuring that these numbers will continue to grow.

For more information, download the report online.