Harvard University Native American Program
Our Mission
HUNAP promotes Native and Indigenous academic scholarship AND seeks to build a thriving Indigenous student community.
Education
To cultivate the development, achievement, and impact of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Indigenous students to further the goals of the Harvard Charter of 1650, which committed the President and Fellows of Harvard College to “the education of the English and Indian youth of this country”.
Community
To create and nurture a thriving community for Native American and Indigenous people—and their allies and supporters—on campus.
Scholarship
To promote university-wide engagement with Native American and Indigenous issues in support of Indigenous self-determination through relevant research, teaching, partnership, and exchange
Inclusion
To expand the presence, visibility, and impact of persons of Native American and Indigenous affiliation or descent on campus in a wide variety of roles.
The education of Native Americans is woven into the long history of Harvard University.
Brief History of HUNAP
The Charter of 1650, by which Harvard University continues to be governed, pledges the University to “the education of English and Indian youth.”
Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck of the Wampanoag Tribe, Class of 1665, was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard. From 1655 to 1698, the “Indian College” stood in Harvard Yard, on the site currently occupied by Matthews Hall. Despite the University’s pledge in its Charter to actively facilitate the education of American Indian youth, it was not until 1970 that a program was established to specifically address Native American issues. In early 1970, the American Indian Program (AIP) emerged on campus.
In the 1990’s AIP became HUNAP, focusing on interfaculty scholarship and teaching, Native outreach, and student recruitment and support. Over the last decade, HUNAP’s teaching, and research efforts continued to expand with Native faculty and support for new research programs. Our outreach continues to expand as well, now encompassing the over 1,000 Native Harvard alumni.
Programs + Support
Programming
In the 1990’s AIP became HUNAP, focusing on interfaculty scholarship and teaching, Native outreach, and student recruitment and support.
HUNAP Annual Lecture Series
HUNAP invites an Indigenous content expert for a week of programming to engage with the Harvard Community.
Harvard Native American & Indigenous Studies Working Group
A space for Native American students to share knowledge and explore important topics on a regular basis.
Faculty Guest Speaker Grants
HUNAP provides funding to bring in preeminent Faculty to Harvard to teach and share with our community.
Seminars
HUNAP hosts and co-hosts workshops and seminars throughout the academic year with the goal of spreading Native Voices across the University.
Conferences
HUNAP hosts and co-hosts conference on campus each year.
Indigenous Walking Tours
A walking tour is available guided by HUNAP Staff to learn about the Indigenous History of Harvard.
HUNAP Powwow
Each year HUNAP hosts a Powwow in conjunction with Native American Students to bring the community together in fellowship and celebration.
HUNAP Commencement
Each May HUNAP hosts a Native American Commencement for any Native/Indigenous Harvard Graduates. This is an intimate gathering for friends and family to come together. Graduates are given a custom HUNAP Blanket in a special ceremony.
Student Support
Advocacy
HUNAP is available to support Native Students individually as they work to navigate Harvard.
More About Advocacy
This includes, but is not limited to, assistance with academics, social-emotional, etc. HUNAP also supports the various Student Groups on campus through event planning, fundraising, etc.
HUNAP also supports the various Student Groups on campus through event planning, fundraising, etc. HUNAP is also available to help support the Native Community in working with the Administration, being a consistent voice to improve the work and experience of the Native Community at Harvard.
Study Breaks
Throughout the year, HUNAP hosts study breaks, to help students recharge and find balance during stressful moments.
Potlucks/Gatherings/Grounding Ceremonies
HUNAP hosts events to socialize, reconnect, and find balance throughout the semester. Building connection is an important aspect of finding belonging. HUNAP is passionate about fostering this.
Career Advisement
The Staff at HUNAP are available for any student who might need assistance developing a plan for life after Harvard.
Recruitment
HUNAP partners with the admissions teams of Harvard to actively recruit Native American Students. The team is also available to support any prospective Native American Student in their process of application. HUNAP hosts information sessions and is available to for one-on-one support also.
HUNAP Grants
Native American Students at Harvard have access to grants through HUNAP for conferences and research more information can be found on our website or by reaching out to our staff.
HUNAP Office
The HUNAP Office is available to any Native American Student 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a space for studying, socializing, reconnecting, and especially snacks.
Student Groups
There are several Student-Led groups across Harvard. Each one provides a supportive space for our students.
HUNAP partners closely with each leadership team to sponsors groups, support finding space + fundraising, each group has access to funding from HUNAP. If students are interested in starting a group at their school, HUNAP will help to coordinate that process.
Harvard College
Natives at Harvard College (NaHC)
Campus
Harvard Indigenous Women’s Group
Hawaii Club
Alumna
Native American Alumni of Harvard University (NAAHU)
Graduate/Professional Schools
Harvard Indigenous Design Collective (GSD)
Future Indigenous Educators Resisting Colonial Education (HGSE)
Harvard Native American Law Student Association (HLS)
Harvard Native Health Organization (HMS)
Harvard Native American Student Organization (TH Chan)
Questions?
Please feel free to reach out to HUNAP with any question you might have.
Email: Hunap@harvard.edu
Phone: 617-495-4923
#HarvardNatives
