The Native American Student Association sold meat pies and fry bread to fundraise for their club Oct. 5, near Yates Hall. These foods are traditional foods within some families and Native American culture.
Vada Cass, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said making meat pies and fry bread is a family tradition in their home in Oklahoma.
“Traditionally in Oklahoma, where I’m from, we make meat pies all the time, and fry bread,” Cass said. “This is a family tradition I used to do with my family, so I thought it would be good to spread the taste and everything on campus.”
Ashleigh Hartley, freshman majoring in accounting, stated she is Native American, which is why she joined NASA. This organization is important to her.
“The organization is important because it supports my culture,” Hartley said.
NASA is open to those with and without Native American heritage and is about spreading awareness.
“The importance of our organization is to spread awareness about Native Americans,” Cass said. “We do not have many Native American members, but I want people to know we are still here, and we want to make an impact.”
The NASA adviser Kennedy Cooper, assistant director for campus and community resources, is a part of the Potawatomi Nation and enjoys the club.
“I like being the adviser for NASA because it gives me the opportunity to support our students, and to celebrate my own heritage as a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation,” Cooper said.
The club has been quiet for a while, but Cass is happy about the opportunities to come with the club’s growth.
“We are just now starting back up, and I am glad we have opportunities to do things like this,” Cass said. “Two or three years ago, this would not have been possible because we did not have the members. I want other people to know it’s open to join this club and you do not have to be Native American. You just need to have the interest of learning about Native American culture.”
Cass extended the invitation to the club to anyone willing to learn. Cooper also explains the club to be focused on educating others as part of the mission.
“The mission of NASA is to provide a space where Native American culture and heritage can be celebrated, and to educate others about it,” said Cooper.
When Cass joined the club last year, she ended up finding more than some friends, she found a home.
“I originally got involved my freshman year because I needed a club to be in,” Cass said. “I just found my home here and I love all my family members, and it kind of just feels like home here. I can be myself.”
Upcoming, NASA will be having a traditional necklace making class on Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. in Kansas 2 room of the Overman Student Center. This is one of many more events to come.
“We would love to have you come to a NASA event,” said Cooper. “All of our meetings are open to anyone, and we do lots of traditional crafts and games, as well as just fun things. Like at our last meeting we did Pumpkin Painting.”