By Colleen Crowley

The University of Maryland prides itself on being a diverse institution, but many Native American and Indigenous students on campus feel marginalized and underrepresented.  This was especially evident during November’s Native American Indian Heritage Month.

The American Indian Student Union (AISU) hosted programming throughout the month, concluding with a panel discussion on the indigenous experience in higher education and the professional world.

At “Beyond UMD: Native Alums Share Their Story,” attendees heard from Nataly Cruz-Castillo, Caitlin Smith, Kimberly Whitley and Chemia Hughes about their journeys here at the university and beyond.

The panelists agreed that the feeling of “otherness” they felt during their undergraduate careers has continued in their professional lives. Smith, whose tribe is found exclusively in North Carolina, said that because her tribe isn’t federally recognized, her indigeneity is often seen as invalid.

Cruz-Castillo, a native Salvadoran, said her indigeneity is called into question when she speaks Spanish, even though “it’s just another colonizer’s tongue.”

All four women said that they constantly have to prove their indigeneity to others because they don’t look like the pre-conceived image of an indigenous person. Additionally, they feel the pressure to excel above and beyond their non-indigenous peers to show that indigenous people are just as capable.

Isabelle Wilson, a math major in her junior year, shared similar sentiments.  “It’s very challenging. It feels like I have to prove myself,” said Wilson. “It’s definitely a lot of pressure. Just like the panelists were saying, if I don’t do it, who will?”

The panel was moderated by Karla Casique, a fifth-year American studies major and the president of the AISU. According to Casique, there are fewer than 300 students at the university that claim full or partial North, Central or South American indigeneity.

“Looking around the campus, you see people of many different colors, so it’s kind of inviting,” said Kota Harley, a senior agribusiness major. “But at the same time, you know no one can relate to you, so you have to go out there and build your own community. And that has been very difficult for me.”

Casique, who recently attended the Big 10 Native Conference, said “Most schools have at least 15 indigenous-centered student organizations, and we only have AISU.”

She said that lack of resources and funding are major obstacles the AISU faces, furthering the feeling of disenfranchisement.

“I feel as if the university doesn’t touch on us as much as they do everyone else,” added Harley. “We’re kind of an afterthought when it comes to university funding and university inclusion.”

Ghonva Ghauri,coordinator at Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) for Native Indigenous student involvement said,“The amount of money and direction of programming that should be done around native indigenous students could be better.”

In addition to raising funds and general awareness, one of the AISU’s ongoing initiatives is pushing the university towards making land acknowledgements at the beginning of all programming. “The University of Maryland College Park campus is on Piscataway land,” said Ghauri. “Acknowledge that as a virtue of where you are and how you’re even allowed to be here. I think that is one way to acknowledge and honor the local community.”

Casique said, “Most presidents in the Big 10 acknowledge what land they’re on, so that’s basic, because that will open up a conversation. That’s a simple thing that can lead to a big impact.”