On Tuesday Nov. 5 Delta’s Native American Success Academy (NASA) had a presentation in the quad and the President’s Patio to inform about the academy and Native American heritage.
The event started with a land recognition done by Delta College Ethnic Studies Associate Professor Nia Greggory, followed by a short speech from Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson, superintendent/president at Delta College.
“It’s extremely important that we have our NASA center specifically so that we can provide the best possible opportunities for our Native American students in our region,” said Lawrenson. “The way we do that is working directly with the community to hear the needs of the community.”
After Lawrenson’s speech there was a blessing ceremony performed by Elder Rolly Filmore. After the blessing there was a drum and song session performed by Thomas Phillips Sr., Thomas Phillips Jr. and Michael Singh. The singing style that they used was Northern Plains style of singing.
“And it’s very important I want to engage students on campus, I know that they come from homes that have that same belief that they’re going out to a better place into the community they’re going out to better themselves through education through learning and learning experience,” said Phillips Sr. before the drum and song session.
This event was put on as a way to inform students about the NASA center and showcase Native American Culture through the blessing ceremony, drum and song session and vendors at the event.
While NASA is a learning community that was established to provide equal opportunities for Native American Students, the program is actually open to all students on campus, provided you take one of the required courses. For Spring 2025 the required courses will be Counseling 5 (COUN 5) or Ethnic Studies 33 (ETHNS 33).
While the program is open to everyone one of their goals is to be a resource designed for the Native American students on campus and making sure they can transfer to universities.
“It allows cultural awareness to spread to all students,” said Darlene Solorio, NASA manager, “although geared towards success of Native American students.”
NASA offers academic advisors and counselors, conferences, cultural events, faculty support, peer support and community resources.
