Programs
Black, Latinx and Native American Family Orientation
Black, Latinx and Native American Family Orientation is a voluntary program designed to share information about the UC San Diego student experience from a culturally informed lens. Participants are able to engage with other incoming families, learn about campus resources and get familiar with the campus. Students participating in this program have the opportunity to move into their campus residence early. The ITRC hosts a number of events for BLNA that change depending on the year. In the past, the ITRC has done a Native Beach Day, trip to the Padres Game, and other orientation events.
Beading Workshops
ITRC Beading Workshops happen 2-4 times a quarter during the academic year. Each guided session is a 2-hour workshop focused on a different beaded project, from earrings, to lanyards, graduation regalia, and more. Native students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to connect to one another and build community while engaging in a fun cultural practice. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to sign up early!
Campus Visits/Native Tours
The ITRC frequently hosts campus visits to show prospective students and their families around campus and familiarize them with life at UCSD. These visits often feature a “Native Tour,” which aims to expose and engage prospective Native students with the academic, social, cultural, and political aspects of the undergraduate experience at the UCSD. In addition to a Native Tour, the ITRC will typically treat prospective students to lunch, give them a tour of the ITRC, tell them about our programs/resources, and answer any other questions they may have.
Holiday Party
The ITRC hosts an annual holiday party to celebrate the end of Fall quarter. This program is an opportunity for students to connect before they go on break and celebrate their achievements of the past quarter. At the holiday party, students can decorate cookies and ornaments, participate in a White Elephant gift exchange, and more.
Language and Culture Table
Language and Culture Table was started by a Native American graduate student at UCSD in 2019. This program allows Native American students and staff to talk about their tribal traditions, government, language, art, culture, and more. Any Native student or staff is welcome to hosting a Language and Culture Table upon asking ITRC staff. Past topics have included lessons on traveling abroad as a Native American woman, Comanche language lessons, Navajo weaving demonstrations, and more.
Midterm Refuel/Finals Study Jam
Every quarter, the ITRC hosts a Midterm Refuel and Finals Study Jam event for students. Past programs have included to-go care packages filled with snacks, notebooks, and other goodies. Snacks such as bagels, coffee, and juice are typically provided to fuel students while they study in the Center. Student Assistants primarily lead Study Jams and Refuel events.
Native American Heritage Month Celebration
Every November, the ITRC leads a campus committee in recognizing the achievements and contributions of Native American people and tribes. Native American Heritage month offers a variety of speakers, performances, workshops, film screenings, and more in order to promote awareness of issues in Indian Country. The committee is composed of students, faculty and staff, all committed to increasing the Native American presence on campus, supporting Native American students and honoring our local tribal communities.
Native American Heritage Night at Petco Park
Each year, the San Diego Padres (Major League Baseball team) host a Native American Heritage Celebration during one of their games. Free, themed hats are given out to attendees. The ITRC organizes a group trip to the game where we provide tickets to Native students, staff, faculty, and community members. Often, the ITRC group travels together to the game and enjoys a meal prior to the start of the event. This event is a fun way to build community for incoming students and strengthen bonds between continuing students and community members.
Native American Welcome Dinner
The Native American Welcome Dinner typically takes place during the first or second week of Fall Quarter. Welcome Dinner is a chance for incoming and continuing Native students to start the year off right and connect with Native staff, faculty, and peers. A catered dinner is provided by the ITRC for all attendees.
Native American and Indigenous Graduates Honoring Ceremony
Each year, the ITRC hosts a graduation ceremony honoring Native American and Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students and all members of the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance and the American Indian Graduate Student Association. Our graduation aims to include more culturally appropriate aspects that acknowledge the accomplishments of our Native students.
Skoden Wellness Club
Skoden Wellness Club is a group dedicated to supporting Native American students in setting and meeting their wellness goals. These wellness goals are not only related to physicality, but also mental and spiritual wellness. In the past, Skoden Wellness Club has met for yoga, light stretching, community discussions, and more. Led by a UCSD Native alumna, Skoden typically meets quarterly.
Talking Circles
The ITRC hosts quarterly talking circles for Native and Indigenous community members at UCSD to foster collective care, process the challenges of our times, and celebrate perseverance. Facilitated by a Native mental health practitioner, these circles are a space to center Indigenous wellness and wellbeing. We invite all members of our community to join us in healing and collective processing.
UCSD Annual Powwow
The UC San Diego Powwow serves the UC San Diego campus and the San Diego community by bringing Native American culture to the campus. The powwow continues to build upon the tradition of welcoming Native American peoples and their cultures to UC San Diego. The annual powwow promotes access to higher education to Native American youth, as well as a means to ensure the retention of current Native American students. The powwow also helps to educate the UC San Diego community about Native American cultures, while simultaneously creating a space on campus where Native American students can express and experience their unique cultures.
