Boozhoo! Welcome!
The Center for Native American Studies offers a holistic curriculum rooted in Native American themes that challenges students to think critically and communicate effectively about Indigenous issues. It emphasizes Great Lakes Indigenous perspectives, stimulates further respectful inquiry about Indigenous people, and provides active learning and service learning opportunities that strengthen student engagement, interaction, and reciprocity with Indigenous communities.
With plans of study rooted in Great Lakes Indigenous (Anishinaabe) perspectives, the CNAS at Northern Michigan University prepares students for futures in respectful tribal engagement, education and traditional arts, language learning, community and environmental work, research and academic pursuits within the discipline of Native American Studies ... the possibilities are endless!
Here we believe that "Minowaan’mewizing bmi’iyaang maampii akiing" ("The gift is in the journey"), where the study of Native American knowledge, culture, and history becomes a journey of lifelong learning and reciprocity with Indigenous communities here in Anishinaabe country and beyond.
Academics
Bachelor Degree
Minor
Associate Degree
Certification
-
NEW!! Bay Mills Community College and NMU have teamed up to offer a NEW Teaching Certificate in Anishinaabe language and culture
Events
2023
- April 19: "The Decolonizing Diet Project." Dr. Martin Reinhardt. 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Zoom.
- April 5 & April 6: "safeTALK: Suicide is preventable." NMU Department of Social Work. Click here for flyer and workshop time options.
- March 20: Course Registration begins. Check out our Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 course offerings in Native American Studies.
- February 23: Tayla Shanaye. "Virtual Chat & Learn: Self-Care as Community Care." 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm (ET). Zoom.
- January 18: April Lindala on "Indigenous Obligations: Caring for Creation in the Time of Climate Crisis." 4 pm - 5 pm (ET). Webinar on Zoom.
Annual
Ongoing
Native American Student Association
NASA is a student organization that plans and promotes events related to Native American heritage and culture on campus. Throughout the year NASA sponsors and co-sponsors many events. Members do not need to be Native American to join and participate in these activities. Sign up today! These activities help strengthen the ties of all individuals on campus.
Anishnaabe News
Due to limited staffing, the CNAS is no longer able to support the print copy of the Anishnaabe News. However, Anishnaabe Radio News can be found at the Public Radio 90, WNMU-FM website.
Anishinaabe News is dedicated to featuring Native American-related news, perspectives, and artwork. Read more about the history of Anishinaabe News here.
Voice on the Water
After a two-year long project, the anthology project "Voice on the Water: Great Lakes Native America Now" had its book launch on November 30, 2011, on the NMU campus.
This 254-page book illuminates the contemporary American Indian experience in Michigan. Read the Book Publication Chronicle as written by Grace Chaillier.
Books can be purchased at the Center Store, 112 Whitman Hall; the NMU Bookstore; orSnowbound Books, downtown Marquette.
Decolonizing Diet Project
The Decolonizing Diet Project Cookbook is available at the Center for Native American Studies. Add the DDP vinegar recipes to your book - DDP Vinegar Recipe. It is now available at the NMU Bookstore.