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The Native American Support Program (NASP) cultivates an environment supportive of positive experiences for Native American and Indigenous students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Learn about NASP initiatives and programming, and get updates on upcoming events and resources both on the UIC campus and within the greater community.

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  • NASP Tuition Assistance/Student Ambassador Application, Deadline: January 7, 2022

    Hello Native American Support Program Scholars,

    NASP has funds available to offer tuition assistance through our NASP Student Ambassador program. Get your application in for the Spring 2022 semester by the DEADLINE: January 7, 2022!  Please see details about the program and the application linked below. We are here to answer any questions and provide additional support with getting your application in. Once you complete the application, please email it to nasp@uic.edu

    NASP Student Ambassador Program:

    The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Native American Support Program (NASP) offers tuition assistance to eligible students interested in serving as Student Ambassadors. The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving and representing NASP. Student Ambassadors provide outreach to students and perform duties at various NASP sponsored campus and community events. UIC students can re-apply for the program each semester. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Due to limited funding, award amounts vary, and priority is given to students with financial needs. Due to the funding source, out-of-state students are ineligible for this opportunity. 

    Students awarded a full tuition waiver (1,000.00+) are expected to commit 30+ hours per semester Students awarded a partial tuition waiver (500.00 – 1000.00) are expected to commit 15+ hours per semester

    Fall Student Ambassador Tuition Waiver Application: https://nasp.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/327/2021/08/5.-Student-Ambassador-Tuition-Waiver.pdf

    -NASP Team

  • POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Finance, Compliance, and Data Management Analyst

    The Finance, compliance, and data management analyst (Business Administrative Associate is responsible for assisting the unit in financial reporting needs for the Office of Technology Management (Chicago campus). Responsible for assisting for the business operations and functions including providing departmental activities related to finance, accounting, contractual agreements, reporting, resource allocation, royalty income distributions, license compliance issues, and other business matters.

    For fullest consideration, the above-mentioned requirements must be submitted no later than Monday, October 25, 2021.

    To Apply: For fullest consideration, please complete an online application by https://jobs.uic.edu/. Please upload all valid certifications and transcripts within the document section of your online application. All civil service positions require an exam.  The exam for this position is a Credentials Assessment. You will not be required to report in person for this exam.

  • Jacob Adams, Farewell

    Jacob Adams (Colville Nation) will be leaving the Native American Support Program (NASP) on October 15th, 2021, as he moves on to focus on his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University. Jacob will be missed among the NASP team and on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. Jacob has been a tremendous force for the program by providing support to our students, building liaisons with other units and departments, and collaborating with the greater Chicago Native American community. We wish Jacob the best wishes in his future endeavors. We thank him for his leadership and are excited to see what he does next as a transformational educator in our Native community.

     

    Please consider attending this zoom event to wish Jacob well on his journey. Students, staff, faculty, community members, and friends are welcome!

     

    Date: Thursday, October 14, 2021 

    Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM

    Zoom Information:

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://uic.zoom.us/j/7078281054?pwd=d282VFVJSEhsWnlWOVFueDNldGZBQT09 

     

    Meeting ID: 707 828 1054

    Passcode: *43G1uR1

     

    Join by SIP

    7078281054@zoomcrc.com

     

     

  • The Backward River Festival: Reclaiming the Chicago River

    The Backward River Festival: Reclaiming the Chicago River

    Join us and the Freshwater Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago on Oct. 16 and 17  for a weekend of community, dance, music, food and connection. 

    Together we will uplift the voices and narratives of those whose lives and communities have been disrupted as private interests manipulate the river—even reversing its flow—to their will, and reimagine what's possible in moving forward with the Chicago River.

    Enjoy knowledge-sharing and performances on the mainstage hosted by The Hoodoisie.

    Connect to the river and each other through curated activities and engaging art installations.

    Visit the community expo for meaningful exchanges with representatives from community-based organizations.

    The festival brings to life The Backward River—a digital storytelling project that sheds light on who benefits from the Chicago River, who bears the burden and how differently it is experienced, depending on where you live in the city. 

    Come reclaim your water and foster a sense of joy!

    The event is free and open to the public. For details, visit thebackwardriver.org/backward-river-festival.

    Thanks for your partnership and support. Questions? Send us an email at thefreshwaterlab@gmail.com.

  • The Coalition of Identities under Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)

    The Coalition of Identities Under AAPI

    A panel discussion exploring the AAPI Identity featuring panelists:Karen Su, Mark Martell, Chasidy Clark, and Momal Khan

    Presented by the UIC Law School's Office of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionCo-sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) at UIC, the South Asian Law Students Association, and the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center

    Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 from 12-1pm

    Zoom link

  • NASP OPEN HOUSE with Food and Chicago-raised Native Writer Dr. Ted Van Alst, Jr. IN PERSON

    Dear UIC Students and Campus Partners, 

     

    The Native American Support Program (NASP) will be hosting Dr. Ted Van Alst, Jr. at our office on Monday, October 4th, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in combination with our open house. We will have to-go food bags for the first 25 UIC students who can attend. Dr. Van Alst will be talking about his experiences growing up as a Native American in Chicago, from his involvement as a teenager in the local gang culture to becoming a tenured faculty member in Native American studies. He is currently the Director of the School of Gender, Race, and Nations and the Chair and a Professor of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University.  

     

    Please note, this is an IN-PERSON event, so we will likely use the corridor outside NASP for a socially distanced event. 

     

    Attendees can also use this event to learn about our CareerNow program, CareerNow survival packs, and other programs and services that NASP offers to the UIC and greater Chicago community. This year’s CareerNow students will receive a free copy of his novel and several other items designed to help navigate classes through this school year. Details and applications are posted on our website: https://nasp.uic.edu/careernow-applications/.

     

    We encourage you to participate and share with anyone you think might be interested in these events as we kick off our 2021-2022 events and programming.

  • NASP Lunch and Learn, Ted Van Alst

    The Native American Support Program will be hosting a zoom lunchtime book discussion of Sacred Smokes on Thursday, September 23rd, from 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT, and on Thursday, September 30th, from 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT. These book discussions will be followed by an author reading by Dr. Ted Van Alst on October 4th, from 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT. Dr. Van Alst will be hosting a zoom about his books and likely reading from both Sacred Smokes and the new unpublished book Sacred City. The zoom link to access these events can be found on our NASP events website: https://nasp.uic.edu/events-2/.

  • General Office Aide/Student Position, Native American Support Program

    Clerical/Adminstrative: 

    • Assists with clerical/administrative functions.
    • Answers the telephone and unit email, transfers phone calls and answers inquiries, and operates common office machines such as fax, copier, andother computer equipment.
    • Sorts, checks and distributes mail correspondence.
    • Operates common office machines such as fax, copier, and other computer equipment.
    • Files necessary materials and assists with inventories.
    • Runs office errands.
    • Assists various staff members in the office with administrative projects.
    • Operates social media for NASP. Should expect to work with Canva or equivalent.
    • Assembles and publishes monthly NASP newsletter.
    • Inputs data using Microsoft Office, UIC box, google enterprise software

    Community and University Activities Support

    • Staffing for activities organized by NASP, some of which will be evening and weekend commitments, such as the annual powwow.
    • Assist with administrative duties related to student and community organizations affiliated with NASP

    CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

  • CareerNOW Program, UIC Native American Support Program

    Are you in the process of exploring your major? Want to explore career and internship possibilities that are focused on working with American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Indigenous communities? CareerNOW is a University of Illinois at Chicago program designed to assist students in exploring and applying to career and internship opportunities that advance Indigenous communities.

    Affiliates who participate in CareerNOW will be able to work with an advisor and develop an individualized career and internship plan. Each affiliate will be able to cultivate their own awareness on how to best market themselves and build confidence in seeking out and applying for career and internship opportunities.

    Click Here to Learn More https://nasp.uic.edu/careernow-applications/

    For details, contact NASP at nasp@uic.edu or 312.996.4515

  • WHOSE LAKEFRONT

    In 1914, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians sued Chicago for land along the lakefront. As co-signers of the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, they had been forced to give up their land in Illinois up to the shore of Lake Michigan. Since then, the city had created land beyond the shore, including Streeterville, Lincoln Park, and Grant Park, some of the most valuable property in the city. The Pokagon Band argued for the return of this unceded land or payment for its value. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, where, predictably, the Potawatomi lost.

    A procession led by Native people with non-Native allies will mark the boundary of this unceded territory with a line of red sand along Michigan Avenue downtown, tracing the original shoreline of Lake Michigan. 

    Saturday, October 2, 2021

    Kickoff at 12:00PM noonCorner of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt RoadRoute goes north to 401 N. Michigan Livestream on https://www.facebook.com/whoselakefront