Native American Student Program
Photo: Former Miss Warm Springs, Thyreicia Simtustus, Michelle Cary, Former Native American Program Coordinator, and Feliciana Conner, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla tribal member, at the 2018 Native American Heritage Month Celebration
Mission Statement
The Native American College and Pre College Programs help balance academic success and personal development for indigenous students by their sharing unique cultural backgrounds and experiences. It provides support, community engagement, and resources that empower individuals to achieve their goals, foster meaningful connections, and drive sustainable growth across diverse environments.
Scholarship Donation
Help students achieve their academic goals.
Annual Salmon Bake
Salmon Bake will be Saturday, May 16, 2025 on the Madras campus.
Featured Events
Speakers, activities, and event videos.
STRIVE
Summer Training to Revive Indigenous Vision and Empowerment.
Native American Program Coordinator
Jeremiah Rector jrector@cocc.edu
Coats Campus Center, Room 106B
Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way Bend, OR 97703
P: 541.318.3782
Native American Service Award
This award is funded through a private endowment devoted to helping Native Americans successfully achieve their educational goals. The award is available to students who are actively involved in the First Nations Student Union program and/or their community. If you think you are eligible for this Service Award please download the application and the volunteer form.
First Nations Student Union Program Participant Scholarship
The FNSU Club has a one-time $500 scholarship available for COCC students in their last term. Students must have been actively involved in the FNSU Club, have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA and write an essay.
Support for Central Oregon Native American Communities
There are many ways to learn about and support our tribal communities in present-day Central Oregon. Here are a few ideas for action:
- Visit warmsprings-nsn.gov.
- Take a trip to the Museum at Warm Springs.
- Check out the Warm Springs Community Action Team, dedicated to helping people build financial independence and small businesses in Warm Springs. Make a donation.
- Support local Indigenous-owned businesses. For example, Sakari Farms. (Check out this directory from American Indian Foods to find additional producers throughout the country.)
- Support local Indigenous artists. Shop at the store Tananáwit in Warm Springs for Indigenous-made art and products.
- Read, listen to, and watch media created by Indigenous people. For example, purchase or borrow Legends of the Northern Paiute as told by Wilson Wewa; and listen to Native American flute music by James Edmund Greeley.
- Support the Helpers by volunteering or making a donation.
- Donate to the Chúush Fund to directly benefit the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as they work to restore their access and infrastructure for clean water.
- Donate to the CRÍID Foundation, whose mission to preserve, share and advance Columbia River Indian customs and culture.
- Help Native American students achieve their academic goals by donating to the First Nations Student Union Scholarship.
- We R Native
The majority of this information was curated by our friends at The Environmental Center
Land Acknowledgement | The Environmental Center (envirocenter.org)
Student Resources:
Native American Links
Scholarships
Local Resources
Location & Directions
First Nations Student Union
