In light of the successful formation of the Latin American Studies Certificate Program and this spring’s addition of the Asian American studies minor, students are now petitioning for the creation of a Native American studies minor.

“It is odd for a school that is known for its diversity not to offer a minor in Native American studies,” said James Catlin, a junior environmental science and policy major.

Catlin, who has distant Native American ancestry, decided to start the petition when he realized that Native American-related courses offered by the university were spread out across departments and often difficult for students to locate.

“There are definitely enough [courses] for setting up a minor, but no one has said anything yet,” said Catlin, “So I decided to.”

A minor or certificate in Native American or American Indian studies is already offered at several institutions, such as the University of Massachusetts, Ohio State University and Michigan State University, said Dottie Bass, the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education’s assistant director for outreach and programming.

Several students in the university’s American Indian Student Union, which has existed since the spring of 2004 and now has at least 100 members, say they want a program that expands and consolidates the courses related to Native American studies. The anthropology and art history departments now offer relevant courses, but students say they want the university to broaden its academic horizons.

“Most courses are taught from a very Western viewpoint and focus primarily on the history of Native Americans,” said Desiree Shelley, a natural resources management major and the AISU’s vice president of public relations. “I would like to see a better mixture of both history and modern Native American culture courses.”

Shelley, who is of the Monacan Indian Nation in southwestern Virginia, said when she first arrived to campus she found it difficult to connect with others who understood the concerns of the Native American community. Through a minor, she hopes it will be easier for herself and other students to learn about the diversity among American Indians and insight into contemporary issues.

“I had a student at Maryland Day ask me if I was actually from an East Coast Indian tribe because he thought they were all extinct,” Shelley said. “So many college students are still very misinformed about our culture.”

To create an additional minor, the AISU would need to find a faculty sponsor, the approval of the minor’s department and a supporting vote from the University Senate.

“Drafting a proposal is usually the most difficult part of this process,” said Phyllis Peres, associate provost for academic planning and programs. “But once they have a faculty sponsorship and a proposal, the entire process can be completed in as little as a semester.”

Peres expressed support for the formation of the Native American Studies program, saying it would “definitely add diversity to the campus” and enhance cultural awareness.

The petition circulated during Maryland Day and received a significant number of signatures, Catlin said. His Facebook group, dedicated to the formation of a Native American studies program, currently has about 100 members, and, according to Shelley, more students are eager to support the cause.

Students were also eager to sign the petition at an event the AISU co-hosted with OMSE and TerPoets on May 1. The event featured Native American activist and professional poet John Trudell, who uses his spoken word poetry and music to spread social and political awareness.

“Everyone in the room was asking for the petition and telling me how much they wanted to sign it,” said Shelley, “John Trudell even signed it.”

The Prince George’s County School Board – with whom the AISU plans to coordinate a community outreach program – also signed the petition, vowing to work with the organization to spread awareness further, Shelley said.

Contact reporter Chidinma Okparanta at newsdesk@umd.edu.