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October 13, 1999___________________________ < FOCUS
) ___________________________________
Native American Center at PSU
The Native American Center at Portland State University will serve the greater Native
American community, including Oregon's nine tribes and several Native American
organizations in the region.
P o rtlan d S tate U n iv ersity
serves Native American students
from around the country. In creat­
ing a place that speaks to these
students as well as the commu­
nity, the architects designed a
structure that references univer­
sal symbols, is, sensitive to tradi­
tional ways, and is flexible and
lasting.
A line o f light filters in daylight
and provides a beacon at night.
The center has a civic side and a
wild side. The civic side responds
to the brick tradition o f the cam­
pus with a courtyard and walls
punctuated by glass modulated to
the rhythm o f the drum. The wild
side is organic, constructed of
stone walls, which provide acous­
tic separation from the freeway
noise, yet allow light to penetrate
in mysterious ways. The building
tells many stories; referencing tips,
Columbia River fishing scaffolds.
longhouses, mound houses and
rolling hills.
NEED
The Center will offer the Native
American community, including
Oregon’s tribes, a culturally-ap-
propriate site for conferences, lec­
tures, art exhibits, cultural ceremo­
nies and other activities. The Cen­
ter will also serve the general com­
munity through tours, including K-
12 tours, and exhibits, and is ex­
pected to expand general under­
standing and knowledge ofNative
American culture, history and is­
sues.
Nationally, Native students are
less than half likely as non-Na-
tives to earn a degree. We know
from our work with tribal commu­
nities that Native Americans are
more likely to pursue their educa­
tion in a setting that recognizes
and honors their culture. The Na­
tive American Center will serve as
a focal point for many aca­
demic and cultural activi­
ties, and encourage students
to remain engaged in the
educational process. In the
words of one student, “This
will be a place where we
live in both worlds - where
we can practice culture and
traditions, but look to the
future.”
BENEFITS/IMPACT
The Native Am erican
Center is expected to:
•Strengthen the cultural
con n ectio n o f N ative
Americans on campus, and
help them make a success­
ful transition to University
life;
■Assist in enrolling and
graduating greater numbers
o f Native American stu­
dents;
AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN’S CLUB
A Non-Profit Organization
AUTUMN FISH FRY!
Red Snapper & C atfish Dinners
with 2 sides
Ticket Price: $7
Saturday, October 16, 1999
11AM-7PM
Silly Webb Lodge, 6 N. Tillamook S t.
(WILL DELIVEP-4order mirimum)
AAMC AUTUMN DANCE
Saturday, October 16, 1999
Elk's Lodge, 6 N. Tillamook St.
9PM-2AM
Donation:$5 (At the Door)
Music by: DJ Papa Chuck
In the community.....for the community!