Indigenous Students' Club bringing together native identifying students

The union helps fellow native students gather to share their culture with one another. Even if a student is not native identifying, allies are also encouraged to participate in the union to learn more about everyone's culture and to help the union bring awareness. It is important to remember that "Native American" is an umbrella term and being native differentiates between tribes, languages, and different cultural attire.

The union has gone on field trips, including a Powwow at Oregon State University as well as having organized their own Native Cultural Night at David Douglas. The Native Cultural Night was held in the South Cafeteria and included approximately 150 people, including principal Greg Carradine, assistant principals, board members, and of course native families. The night provided activities, such as basket weaving, learning to drum with an elder, a fry bread dinner, and more. 

The Indigenous Student Union has made important contributions to the native community at David Douglas, including creating the ability for graduates of all cultures to wear cultural attire over their caps and gowns. Fellow Indigenous Student Union members made some of the graduates beaded necklaces that come in fours, representing the four high school years. Native identifying students have also had the opportunity to have a seperate graduation that included drum blessing songs and greetings from elders and family members.

The union is big on social justice and will therefore be organizing days where students can wear a specific color to show awareness. Last year the union organized a Red Out Day in hopes of creating MMIP awareness (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons). The union will be hosting an Orange Out Day on Sept. 30 to spread awareness of Native American impact upon our country.

The union hopes to potentially partner with other schools and eventually attend field trips together. The union also plans on going on more trips together and to plan more cultural events where students can play native games together and enjoy quality time as a community. Williams also plans on making field trips accessible to families of the students.

All students are welcome to attend Indigenous Student Union meetings every Wednesday in room 208 from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. The first meeting will be Oct. 5.