More Than a Statistic

Native Americans are among the most oppressed minorities in America, and given the history of their treatment, it is important that the struggles they have faced and continue to face are remembered.

In 1990, Congress passed a resolution designating the month of November to be “Native American Heritage Month” to honor the Native citizens of the United States. This, along with an official apology in 2010 for the crimes committed against Natives throughout American history, are signs of a shifting attitude in regards to how America addresses the issues surrounding its first citizens. But, the reality is, these gestures do little to solve the problems affecting the Native population today.

Of the 60 percent of U.S high school students who go on to attend college, only 17 percent are Native American and out of those 17 percent, only 13 percent receive a college degree. At East Carolina University, Native students comprise less than one percent of the student population, making them the most underrepresented group on campus.

Founded in 1970, the East Carolina Native American Organization (ECNAO) has made strides to make Native students and allies welcome, hosting cultural events such as the annual powwow to bring their heritage to life.

Cheyenne Daniel, a senior rehabilitation management major, serves as treasurer for the organization while also holding the title of 2019 Miss Indian North Carolina. She explained why the ECNAO brings a sense of community to the students it serves.

“I started going to NAO meetings as a freshman and now I’m a treasurer. When we get out of our communities and away from our families, it means a lot to have someone on campus that knows what you go through. It helps you feel like you’re not the only one,” Daniel said.

Daniel also offered her thoughts on Native American Heritage Month, and what non-Natives could do to help bridge the cultural gap and make Natives feel more recognized in today’s society.

“I like the recognition Natives receive from it and I think that it would be great if non-Natives could keep an open mind and open heart, and not make us feel like a historical exhibit,” Daniel said. “We’re trying to live in the world with everyone else, while keeping our cultural identity,”

In addition to her role as the ECNAO treasurer, Daniel has also served as head lady for the dancers of the ECNAO’s annual powwow and described how it brings the Native community at ECU together.

“I can honestly say it empowers me when I dance,” Daniel said. “There’s always an uplifting atmosphere at the powwow. You rarely ever see people upset or mad.”

Selena Lynch, a sophomore nursing intended major and fellow ECNAO member, has danced in the powwow in the past and has held the title of Miss Haliwa-Saponi 2017-18. She gave her thoughts on how important it is for Native students to be involved on campus.

“I definitely feel like people should be proud of who they are because there are people out there who’d do anything for the culture we have,” Lynch said. “So many people want our traditions and aspects of our culture, but they don’t want to be us.”

Lynch also expressed her opinion on what Native American Heritage Month means to her as a young Native student in the 21st century.

“It (Native American Heritage Month) means a time to celebrate our culture and to be prideful in what our people have fought so hard for us to have,” Lynch said. “There were times in the past when my people were jailed for openly saying they were Native American, so to have an entire month of being able to show pride in my culture is amazing.”

While Native Americans still face obstacles in overcoming oppression, the culture that they have maintained over centuries lives on. As a Native ECU student, it is great to see that there are others like me, as well as other Native students at universities across America, who are living examples of how no matter what odds you may have faced or what background you may come from, you can be more than a statistic.