Native American Resource Guide
CSUMB Land Acknowledgment
California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) resides on the indigenous homeland of the Esselen people (also known as Carmeleno, Monterey Band, and Rumsen). It is on the rich homeland of the Esselen, where CSUMB not only thrives as an institution of higher education, but also provides an education abundant with service and experience to a diverse community of learners. As our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members explore the university’s campus, remember to respect the land and take note of the natural beauty. Remember that ancestors rest below pathways and in other less traveled areas on campus. We Are Here - Let Ka Lai
Costanoan: Spanish for "coast people." The term denotes a language family as opposed to a unified political entity such as a tribe. Costanoans are sometimes referred to as Ohlone, the name of one tribelet.
Location: The Costanoans traditionally lived around and south of San Francisco and Monterey Bays and east to near the central valleys. Today many live in the same area and in Indian Canyon in San Benito County.
Population: The Costanoan population was roughly 10,000 in the mid-eighteenth century and about 200 in the late 1970s. There were probably thousands of Costanoan descendants in the mid-1990s.
Language: Costanoan, a group of about eight languages, belongs to the Penutian language family.
Contact: Louise J. Miranda Ramirez, Tribal Chairwoman
408-629-5189, ramirez.louise@yahoo.com or ramirez.louise@ohlonecostanoanesselennation.org
For more information about Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen peoples, visit their official tribal website.
Native Advisory Council (NAC)
The Native American Council (NAC) is a group of dedicated faculty and staff.
NAC serves three purposes:
- To provide community and support for students;
- To build community and continue campus relations with tribes;
- To advise campus administrators on issues relevant to the support of Native students, faculty, staff and alumni.
For more information contact: nac@csumb.edu
facebookNative American Students United (NASU)
NASU is a student organization for all indigenous people at CSUMB. Our purpose is to create unity and develop an active community of Native people. We acknowledge all Native students on campus and welcome input from the community at large. Native American Students United is a place to share, create self-awareness, promote cultural sensitivity and generate understanding about our lives and the communities we come from and now live in. The group meets monthly and is open to Native American students, faculty, and staff.
Contact: daburnett@csumb.edu
For more information, please see their Facebook or Instagram.
Native American Pow Wows
The Pow Wow is a powerful gathering to unite people, pay homage, teach traditions, and allow expression.
For more information, the Pow Pow website.
Make sure to check the class schedule, course catalog, or with the your academic advisor to make sure the classes are available.
HCOM 223: American Indigenous Literature and Cultures
HCOM 348: Race, Colonialism, and Film
HCOM 393: Race and Ethnicity in the United States
SBS 246: Native American Societies
SBS 315: Growth and Conflict in the United States to 1920
SBS 320: Archaeology of colonialism
SBS 332: The Rise & Fall of Civilizations
SBS 348: Maya Civilization
There are numerous financial aid and scholarship resources available to Native American students. Explore each of these websites for further information and additional scholarship links:
Association on American Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Education-Scholarship List
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
JLV College Counseling- Scholarships for Native American Students
Udall Scholarship -- please contact Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center
California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH)
The CCUIH supports health promotion and access for American Indians living in cities throughout California. Established in 2006, CCUIH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) statewide alliance of Urban Indian health organizations and substance abuse treatment facilities collectively referred to as UIHOs. By blending the leadership and experience of our consortium members with shared resource development, and by combining applied research with educational and policy advocacy efforts, CCUIH offers innovative strategies to support the health and wellness needs of the Urban Indian community in California. CCUIH’s mission is to facilitate shared development resources for our members and to raise public awareness in order to support a health and wellness network that meets the needs of American Indians living in urban communities. CCUIH envisions a future in which all American Indians living in urban areas gain access to quality, sustainable, and self-determined health and wellness services. We are building a legacy of healthy American Indian communities for generations to come.
Contact: 415-345-1205
For more information, please see their website.
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA)
CRLA is a nonprofit legal service program created to help California's low-income individuals and communities. We represent all types of individuals and communities. We have offices from the Mexican border to Northern California.
Salinas Office: 831-757-5221
Watsonville Office: 831-724-2253
For more information, please see their website.
Inter-Tribal Council of California
The Inter-Tribal Council of California, Inc. (ITCC) is a statewide association of over 35 federally recognized tribes and Tribal organizations. This non-profit 501(c)3 organization was formed in 1968 to enhance the education, health, economic, cultural, and social status of all Native Americans in California. ITCC advocates and implements policies, programs and projects to strengthen sovereignty and improve the health and well-being of tribal communities.
Contact:
3425 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 973-9581, intertribal.ca@itccinc.org
For more information, visit their webpage.
Statewide Directory of Services for Native American Families
These organizations provide valuable support for a plethora of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Networking, financing options, and business skill development opportunities expand Indigenous small business platforms.
Change Labs
Change Labs, a Native-led nonprofit organization, centers its work on advancing Indigenous American entrepreneurs. Located on the Navajo and Hopi Nations, Change Labs supports Native American entrepreneurs in developing small businesses that uplift tribal communities.
Change Labs helps small businesses build infrastructure and economic sustainability and self-reliance. The organization invests in data analysis to fully understand and improve their programmatic supports. Each Change Labs program expands the social, human, and financial capital of Native entrepreneurs.
For more information, please see their website.
These organizations provide valuable support for a plethora of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Networking, financing options, and business skill development opportunities expand Indigenous small business platforms.
NDN Collective
NDN Collective builds sustainable infrastructures for Indigenous people through activism, organizing, and philanthropy. The Indigenous-led organization focuses on generating equity and uplifting Indigenous narratives. By supporting the development of sustainable Indigenous communities, NDN empowers an ongoing connection to culture, land, and identity.
NDN strongly defends climate justice, racial equity, education equity, and the landback movement. Their campaign efforts highlight the interconnectedness of land and humanity. Through protests, education, and valuable resources, NDN presents a platform for Indigenous wellbeing.
For more information, please see their website.
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) provides American Indian tribes and businesses with economic development opportunities. Led by the motto “We Mean Business,” NCAIED, a nonprofit, helps American Indian entrepreneurs reach their business goals and build generational wealth.
NCAIED supports American Indian community expansion through myriad business efforts. The nonprofit provides business development training, federal program advocacy, and financial assistance resources
For more information, please see their website.
National Congress of American Indians
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) comprises and represents American Indian and Alaska Native entrepreneurs, tribal citizens and governments, and Native organizations. NCAI members vote on all policies and leadership roles, creating a nonprofit of collective development.
NCAI advocates strongly for economic, environmental, and cultural needs in the Native community. It operates many programs in partnership with other organizations to support economic development and public access to educational resources. Additionally, NCAI founded the Policy Research Center which focuses on research and data collection to inform public policy.
For more information, please see their website.
IDRS Acorn Project
The Indian Dispute Resolution Services (IDRS) Acorn Project supports Native American entrepreneurs through customized programs focused on developing small businesses. The Acorn Project hosts training sessions for all aspects of business ownership in order to meet entrepreneurs’ varying needs. The Native-led nonprofit project supports over 25 tribes and Native nonprofits.
The IDRS Acorn Project focuses on business training for Native American youth, providing skills to support entrepreneurship, leadership development, and financial literacy.
For more information, please see their website.
The National Minority Supplier Development Council
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a corporate for-profit organization, connects minority entrepreneurs with corporations to facilitate supply chain distribution. NMSDC connects minority-owned businesses of all sizes to a network comprising over 1,450 corporate members.
Business membership in NMSDC requires certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Once certified as an MBE, entrepreneurs gain access to NMSDC’s corporate network and membership seminars, trainings, and events. MBE certification comes with access to capital investing opportunities and other funding sources.
The annual NMSDC conference offers entrepreneurs networking opportunities with other MBE members and corporate representatives. The event hosts a variety of workshops and exhibitor booths to facilitate education and connection.
For more information, please see their website.
References to nonCSUMB products, services, or organizations do not imply Otter Cross Cultural Center or University endorsement of such products, services, or organizations.
