Identifier

UA 63.3

Dates

1991-2014, undated

Extent

3.45 linear feet [4 document cases, 1 document case (half),1 oversize box]

Abstract

The American Indian Student Association provides an outlet for Indigenous people on campus to share and learn about their own culture, heritage, and values. It is composed mainly of materials pertaining to the Native American Club’s activities on campus, including the South Dakota State University Wacipi (powwow).

Historical Note

The Native American Club was first organized in 1992 under Jack Marken, the Head of the English Department. The Native American Club has four main objectives. First, the Native American club hosts prospective Native American Students. Second, the club provides academic support to Native American students in the form of tutoring. Third, the club provides a space for Native American students to take part in their culture. Fourth, the club provides cultural awareness programs and activities to the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities. The Native American Club has held many activities and events including hand games tournaments, Indian taco sales, basketball tournaments, and Indigenous conferences, however, the Native American Club is best known for their establishment of the South Dakota State University wacipi. The Native American Club held their first contest wacipi in 1977. They did not hold another contest wacipi until 1990, which then became an annual Native American Club event. In 2015 the name of the Native American Club changed to the American Indian Student Association. The main objectives of the association downsized after the name change. The American Indian Student Association no longer hosted Native American Students or provided tutoring, but the association continues to provide a welcoming space for Native American students and provides cultural awareness programs.

The Native American Club also has created and took part in many activities on campus. The Native American Club organizes the Wacipi (powwow) that is held every year. The Native American Club’s work on the Wacipi includes putting flyers up, finding dancers and drummers, volunteering for setup, and managing the powwow budget. The Native American Club also hosts Hand games, a traditional Indigenous game, where they teach players about the Indigenous importance before playing. The club has also participated in club picnics, pizza parties and basketball tournaments.

Content Notes

This collection is composed mainly of materials pertaining to the Native American Club’s activities on campus. One of the activities created by the club is the South Dakota State University Wacipi (powwow) which is a major part of this collection. Folders on the Wacipi include photographs, finances, tapes, posters, evaluations, and contest registrations. A few folders include pictures of other activities that the Native American Club has held such as Hand games, picnics, and basketball tournaments. Also includes is general club finances and budget requests made by the club to the Student Association.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

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Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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