Despite the restrictions and challenges imposed by COVID-19, Schoolcraft College’s Native American Club has remained one of the more active student organizations. It’s important work, with a mission to foster an understanding of Native American culture, history and traditions.
“There are over 560 Native American tribes in the United States, and over 70% of Native Americans are what’s termed ‘Urban Indians,’ meaning they are away from their reservation,” said Professor Karen Schaumann-Beltran, who serves as faculty advisor for the club. “We try to provide a bit of a home away from home for our Native students.”
Schaumann-Beltran, who is also the head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, said the Native American Club is open to anyone who wants to learn more about Native cultures.
“We do some issue-based as well as cultural programming, craft workshops and generally try to educate the Schoolcraft College community and the broader community,” she said.
Schoolcraft College’s Native American Club also is working with similar organizations at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, as well as a community women's drum group.
“Our collaborative efforts brought us together to seek federal SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grant funding. It is great working across colleges with other faculty and organizations, and with the Detroit area Native community,” Schaumann-Beltran said.
“Native Americans are around only 2% of the American population, so collaboration and mutual support is much needed. The focus of our collaboration is to connect students and faculty with community members and elders for teachings and mutual support. Our hope is to alleviate some of the COVID-19 social isolation and devastation, and connecting students and communities who have been especially hard hit.”
The next meeting of the Native American Club is at noon on Friday, Feb. 19. View the Zoom link.
The meeting ID is: 854 1123 3815. The passcode is: 371956.
View all of Schoolcraft College’s clubs.