Northwestern State University offers several different organizations that the student body can participate in. The Native American Student Association, also known as NASA, is an organization students can join to foster a community that is educated on Native American lifestyle, culture and current issues.
Breanna Murphy is a sophomore biology major and current president of NASA. “The purpose of NASA is to share culture, find a community and organize cultural events to educate others. We don’t require anything other than someone being an NSU student to join and having the same passion for learning and desire to know more about Native American tribes and cultures,” Murphy said.
The organization has held many events this semester in hopes of encouraging students to learn more about the organization. “Throughout the year, we’ve held several events ranging from painting the NSU rock, showing a film series and hosting book readings,” Murphy said. The organization recently held an American Indian craft day, which involved several handmade crafts being displayed and sold from Louisiana’s regional tribes.
A main goal of the organization for the upcoming year is getting more students to push themselves out of their comfort zones and join the organization. Paisleigh Rivers is a freshman radiological science major and the vice president of NASA, who joined in hopes of pushing herself to learn more about her culture and help others get interested in it too.
“Most people are afraid to be judged for joining because there are a lot of Native American people who do not look like it, including myself. Though if you know you are a part of that culture and want to make something out of it, then you should go for it and give it your all. That’s why I decided to put my culture first and join NASA,” Rivers said.
The Native American Student Association is all about fostering the growth of a community that is inclusive to all who want to learn more. The overall goal of NASA is to provide information on Native American cultures, foster pride in those cultures and spread awareness of current issues. The students participating in the organization are reaching their goals as they continue striving to educate and provide a comfortable space for students.
