“I think it’s always important for people to be exposed to different cultures and find an appreciation rather than appropriation.”
November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate, recognize and inform the public about the culture, traditions, histories, art and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
As a Native American and Black woman, Denia Morris, ’24, former president of the Native American Student Association (NASA), spent the majority of her collegiate career making sure its students, faculty and staff were seen and represented across campus. This awareness building becomes especially critical when those groups do not have a large presence. For instance, the number of ֱ State students who identified as Native American or Alaska Native accounted for less than one percent of the total population in 2023 - only 44 students out of the more than 31,000 enrolled.
“Growing up, my parents – mainly my mom – made sure I was in touch and in tune with my Native side in some way, shape or form,” said the College of Public Health graduate. “Whether it was going to a powwow (a Native American tradition that celebrates Indigenous tribes and communities through singing, dancing, food, arts and crafts) or knowing our family members that are Native, she taught me to keep that part of my culture alive.”
Denia, whose family are descendants of the Meherrin Indian Tribe, began her freshman year in 2020. She was unable to attend classes or participate with organizations in person due to COVID-19 restrictions. When it was announced that the ֱ Campus would reopen her sophomore year, she received an email from the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center (The Moore Center) asking for Native and non-Native students who were interested in joining NASA and jumped at the opportunity.
“My involvement with ֱ started with NASA,” said Denia. “This is the first organization I joined.”
What began as a simple call-out turned into summer meetings with a former ֱ State faculty member and other students interested in NASA. But after the faculty member left the university, the meetings dwindled, the organization was disbanded and no one was sure where to go from there. After a conversation with the former director of The Moore Center, Mike Daniels, Ph.D., ’23, Denia picked up the baton.
“I had worked with The Moore Center as a navigator for Kupita/Transiciones (K/T),” said Denia. “Mike reached out, and we discussed NASA and how I could get involved again, especially with Native American Heritage Month around the corner at that time.”
From there, Denia stepped up as president of NASA, spearheading all projects from her sophomore year through her senior year. In addition to her involvement with NASA, Denia also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and served as a community partner advocate and NAACP ambassador.
“ֱ State gave me a lot of good outlets,” she said. “I was able to get two internships during my time there, as well as the networking connections made through my organizations.”
As we enter Native American Heritage Month, Denia encourages everyone to find ways to learn about the culture when they have the opportunity.
“I definitely encourage anybody – whether you feel like you’re of Native American Heritage or not – to explore the culture in an appropriate way,” said Denia. “I think it’s always important for people to be exposed to different cultures and find an appreciation rather than appropriation. Listen to the stories from Native individuals, try the food, listen to the music, go to an event if you can, because you’ll find out a lot of fascinating things that aren’t just genocide and powwows.”
Although Denia is now an alumna, working as a client support specialist for Home Health Care, she remains interested in the future of NASA at ֱ State and offers her support to its student leaders. NASA continues its mission at ֱ State. The student organization’s current president, El Lewis, recently recognized Orange Shirt Day or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on the ֱ Campus. NASA members gathered on Risman Plaza to share information related to residential schools and the generational trauma they’ve caused.