Amplifying Native American voices on campus and beyond

Seeing the diverse members of the Lenoir-Rhyne University community form and activate clubs to represent their interests, sociology and human and community service major Meli Jackson ’24 and psychology major Jaia Watty ’24 decided to take charge of Native American representation on campus by forming the Native American Student Association in 2022.

“We wanted our own representation, to spread awareness and to share our own stories and experiences instead of feeling like someone else was speaking for us,” explained Jackson.

All the club’s current members are drawn from the Eastern Band of Cherokee, a federally recognized tribe descended from the few Cherokee who remained in North Carolina after the Trail of Tears forced the relocation of Cherokee and four other Southeastern tribes to land in present-day Oklahoma in the 1830s.

“There aren’t a lot of us on campus, and we came here from four different high schools across two counties,” Jackson shared. “But we all know each other because we were all raised around each other. There’s a close sense of community back home where everybody knows everybody.”

The idea to form a club came about in 2021, after Jackson and Watty met visiting lecturer Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and director of Indigenous ministries and tribal relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In a series of talks sponsored by the Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose, Blackfox presented the history of the United States from the Native American perspective. Jackson and Watty felt inspired to follow his example and share their knowledge and experiences with their fellow students.

“If you want to learn about Native Americans, it makes sense to get that information from someone who is Native American or Indigenous,” said Jackson. “Seeing him sharing our history and sharing his own experiences, I wanted to keep that perspective going on campus.”

The Rev. Dr. Mindy Makant, associate professor of religious studies and then director of the Living Well Center helped them navigate the logistics of setting up a club, and the Native American Student Association became official in the spring of 2022. Their first event brought the centuries-old tradition of Cherokee beadwork to the Cromer Center.

“We brought in our corn bead necklaces, which are specific to the Cherokee people. We combine them with other kinds of beads to make necklaces and bracelets,” Jackson said. “The patterns have their own meanings — artwork is very important to our culture.”

Club members invited classmates, teammates and others to learn about the meaning behind the beadwork patterns and materials and to join in making their own bracelets. 

“We had a lot of people come by the table, but some of them seemed nervous about using the corn beads, like they might overstep. It’s the same way when people want to ask questions, but they’re worried about causing offense,” Jackson shared. “We want to encourage people to ask those questions and to take part in and learn about our traditions. That’s how you build the connections that are good for everyone.”

Jackson says she chose her majors as preparation for service to her community and plans to return to Cherokee and continue working for the good of her tribe. 

“Meeting Vance Blackfox gave Jaia and me the chance to attend conferences in Chicago and San Diego. We’ve met Native Americans from all over the country, people who are similar to us, and seen examples of great leadership,” Jackson shared. “I’m looking forward to going home and living among my family and community again and using my education to give back through social work and advocacy.”

When she talks about her vision for advocating for her tribe in the long term, Jackson echoes her motivation for starting the Native American Students Association. 

“I want to remind people we’re still here. We’re going to college, playing sports, being successful,” she said. “The United States is a melting pot, and we want to be part of the conversation, speaking for ourselves, representing ourselves.”