Welcome to the Native American Center

(Eskoonwid Endaad)

(eh-skohn-wid en-dawd)

The Native American Center (Eskoonwid Endaad) promotes and supports Native American, First Nations, and other Indigenous cultures and communities.  The center strives to support the Native/Indigenous community, as well as the greater Lake Superior State University community, bringing programming on Indigenous issues and culture to campus with events that include speakers, artist talks and installations, cultural enrichment performances, and Indigenous games.

The Native American Center also serves as a gathering place for the Lake Superior State University’s Native American student organization, as well as other student organizations. Students are encouraged to come to the Native American Center to study in its comfortable library, to use the computers in the learning lab, and to enjoy its welcoming kitchen and living room.

Land Acknowledgement

Lake Superior State University respectfully acknowledges that the University occupies traditional Anishnaabeg territory. This includes the ancestral and contemporary lands of the Bay Mills Indian Community (Gnoozhekaaning), the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Bawaating), the Garden River First Nation (Gitigaan-ziibi), the Batchewana First Nation, and the settlement lands of the Métis Nation of Ontario. We acknowledge that the University resides on land ceded in the 1820 Treaty of Sault Sainte Marie, the 1836 Treaty of Washington, and the 1855 Treaty of Detroit. Lake Superior State University acknowledges the history of the nations around our campus, and is committed to a relationship with the nations of our region based on the principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity, and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation.

Our Commitment

Lake Superior State University is proud to serve a large number of Native American students, and provides those students with easy access to free tuition through Michigan’s Indian Tuition Waiver program. To learn more about this opportunity, visit LSSU’s Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver site.

LSSU emphasizes its commitment to support Native American students in the strategic planning of the institution. Key components of the strategic plan include:

Goal 2.5 – Incorporate history, traditions, languages, and cultures of Indigenous peoples in all University service areas.

  • 2.5.1 Augment the prominence of the Native American Center on campus, in the community, and on a regional and national level through broader programmatic offerings.
  • 2.5.2 Increase the number of programmatic offerings and activities in the Native American Center on campus and in the community.
  • 2.5.3 Develop and offer Ojibwe language courses on campus including a program that results in a teaching certificate in education.
  • 2.5.4 Incorporate the history of Indigenous cultures in general education.
  • 2.5.5 Develop an immersive cultural program on campus that promotes Native American historical and contemporary narrative.
  • 2.5.6 Establish a new academic program in Native American studies that emphasizes the history of the Great Lakes Region and Native American history and culture.
  • 2.5.7 Establish as a graduation requirement for baccalaureate degrees the completion of at least one course with Indigenous cultural content.

Link to full Strategic Plan.

Upcoming Events

Soup Tuesdays

Soup Tuesdays will be held in the Native American Center on Tuesdays from February 6, 2024 to April 16, 2024.

Woodland Sky – January 31 – February 2Woodland Sky

Woodland Sky: Native American Dance Company Woodland Sky is visiting campus for a residency from January 31 – Ferbaury 2, 2024. The entire campus community has the opportunity to learn about Native American regalia, dance fitness sessions, and craft activities during the week, with a culminating storytelling and dance performance on Friday evening for the campus and surrounding community in the Arts Center.