NAU dedicated cultural center (CNAIF)

NAU Land Acknowledgement

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF)

A dedicated cultural center to call home

Students in search of support, culture, and community can easily find it at the 12,000-square-foot Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), located in the heart of the Flagstaff campus. Built in 2011, the CNAIF “home away from home” is a campus hub where students can access services, attend cultural events, study, and socialize.

The only facility of its kind in the entire Southwest, the CNAIF provides resources that help students navigate the university and support their academic success. It is a warm gathering place for students, scholars, Tribal collaborators, the university community, and the public. On average, the CNAIF serves more than 10,000 students per year, welcomes 70,000 visitors, and hosts 465 events per year in various capacities, such as tours, educational presentations, concerts, cultural events, and student services.

The center embodies Native values and symbolizes NAU’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples. The main doors open to the east, greeting the sun every morning. Like many traditional Indigenous homes, the CNAIF has an open gathering space in the center of the building. The CNAIF also hosts a Story Room specifically designed to accommodate our students’ spiritual needs.

The CNAIF was built with core funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of Highland, California, and the support of numerous other donors. In addition to the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA), the CNAIF houses the Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), which provides culturally competent, individualized support for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students through services such as Indigenous Connections to Success, Field Day, and Indigenous Peer Mentorship.

Students with Ann Marie Chischilly in the field house.

Navigating the future with generational wisdom

The Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) also houses the Elders/Cultural Advisor Program to provide students with cultural support and model the relationships students often miss while away from their home communities. Elders offer students intergenerational learning through cultural activities, hands-on workshops, visits, and lectures.

Programs inspire an understanding of Indigenous knowledges and philosophies directed at providing a holistic approach to student, faculty, and staff support.

Elders Advisor Program
Indigenous Cohorts of Care Program
Indige-Jacks student employee program
Resources for Success Program

CNAIF Programs offer opportunities to attend virtual and in-person events at the CNAIF.

Become involved at the CNAIF email us at NAU-CNAIF@nau.edu.

Ann Marie Chischilly at ITEP Anniversary celebration.

CNAIF is home to the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) led by Vice President of Native American Initiatives Ann Marie Chischilly, ONAIA seeks to make a substantial and enduring contribution to a new era in Native American/Indigenous self-determination. ONAIA fosters five main programs and many partnerships that strive to support NAU’s goal to become the leading university serving Indigenous Peoples.

partnering with Native American and Indigenous communities
collaborating with tribal colleges and universities
contributing to a culture of support for Native American and Indigenous students
building bridges to and from Indigenous-serving institutions across the globe

ONAIA offices are located on the second floor of the CNAIF and office on the north side of first floor.

Learn more

Drawing strength from your roots

At the Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), students find connections for events, activities, programs, and additional resources for balancing academics and cultural commitments.

Personalized academic, financial aid, personal, and cultural guidance
Indigenous Peer Mentor Program
Faculty and peer mentoring
Connections to resources for tutoring, childcare, and more
Native American alumni outreach

Honoring roots

Supporting and encouraging Indigenous students

The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) in conjunction with NAU Marketing, worked together to create logos and graphics that represent ONAIAs Core Values of Relationships, Responsibility, Respect, and Resilience. These logos and graphics are a collective representation of values that are upheld within many different Indigenous communities.

Relationships

The four cardinal directions are considered sacred in Native American cultures. The feathers represent the trust, honor, wisdom, and strength necessary in establishing and cultivating relationships.

Respect

The water droplet shape is found in Native American jewelry and other circular designs. Water is used here to visually express the importance of respect and the value of community approval and honor.

Responsibility

The sun illustrates responsibility by showing the effect that it has by reaching out with its rays. It also signifies the beginning of a new day as it rises from the east. Both of these express dependability and accountability, which are essential parts of responsibility.

Resilience

The corn stalk likeness is found on many Native American images. Corn is a resilient crop and ties directly to the concept of resilience. It also symbolizes the growth students experience through support in their education.