Recognizing and honoring Indigenous people, histories, and experiences unveils the truth of the past, honors the vibrant community of the present, and supports Native students’ success.
Towson University seeks to cultivate relationships with Native American and Indigenous communities and nations through academic pursuits, partnerships, historical recognitions, community service and enrollment efforts. These communities and nations include the Susquehannock (suh-skwuh-ha-naak), Nanticoke (nan-tuh-kowk) and the Piscataway (puh-ska-tuh-way) people whose ancient homeland is currently occupied by the university.
The Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity (OIIE) conducted a series of oral histories with elders from tribes indigenous to the area to develop TU’s land acknowledgment.
“My dad would teach me the spirit of everything, and I’ve always wanted to keep that alive. We’re very proud of our Indigenous heritage, and it’s pushed me on my path a lot. I always thought it’s important to make sure people have that at TU.”
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“It’s extremely important for there to be a sense of Native community on TU’s campus. It’s a struggle for students to be their best selves because they feel invisible. Being in a community with other Native students reassures you that you’re not alone.”
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“As an adult I’ve surrounded myself with more people who are like me and have really been invested in learning about our history and the importance of what’s happened and how we can continue to advocate for Native folks all over.”
Read moreThe Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity (OIIE) provides guidance about TU’s
land acknowledgment and how it can be used. “What we owe the Indigenous people in our state and nation is far more substantive
and long-lasting than a mere day of acknowledgment or celebration.”
How to share a thoughtful, personalized land acknowledgment
Towson University’s Message on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
“We're still here, we’re still alive, and we haven’t changed.”
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The Baltimore American Indian Center (BAIC) hosted powwows in the University Union from 2014 to 2017, and now host powwows at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.
Support the BAICLed by Native/Indigenous Student Research Assistant Gabriel Ortiz ’23, the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity is undertaking ongoing research to identify and bring together Native students at TU.
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“Native people are generally not part of the national discourse. And when they are, it's usually about the past. So any time that we can counter those erasures by making people remember that Native people are still here is important.”
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“We know historically, based on documentation from early European explorers, that Indigenous people took their winter camps into the headwaters [of the Susquehanna River].”
Read MoreThese identity-based scholarship and career resources for Native American students support college persistence and completion.
TU Career Center Resources National Education Association EdJustice American Indian College Fund
