The Native American and Indigenous Studies Advisory Board

NAIS Advisory Board

A crucial component of the Native American and Indigenous Studies program's focus is serving indigenous communities, students and other individuals.  Bringing those voices and the valuable human resources of the campus to discussions of the status and future of the NAIS program is a high priority. 

The Native American and Indigenous Studies Advisory Board’s purpose is to advise the program coordinator and other FLC personnel on the development of the academic major and minor in American Indian Studies by helping to set priorities appropriate for serving tribal communities and students, monitoring the program’s progress, and assisting, when appropriate, in activities that may emerge as the program develops.

According to the NAIS Advisory Board's By-Laws,

(A) The Advisory Board exists to provide guidance and advice to the Fort Lewis College NAIS academic programs, its director/coordinator and its faculty and staff in carrying out its mission;

(B) The mission of the Board and the NAIS is to create a collegial atmosphere and offering dedicated to the following principles:

a.  Autonomy
b. Independence
c.  Tribal governance
d.  Research
e.  Self-sufficiency
f.  Place
g.  Collaboration
h. Practical applications
i.  Future orientation
j.  Leadership
k.  Cultural integrity
l.  Personal and academic responsibility
m.  Community and culture
n.  Tribal citizenship
o.  De-colonization
p.  Mutual respect      

(C)  Provided that the foregoing list of principles is not an exhaustive list of important NAIS principles.

(D) The Board exists to fulfill the consultative responsibilities of the college to the students, the Native and Non-Native public in the formation, administration and planning of course offerings, programs and events.

The Advisory Board holds at least two meetings each academic year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring.  Other meetings may be called for specific  purposes during the academic year and subcommittees may also meet independently, reporting their activities to the Advisory Board.  

The American Indian Studies Advisory Board includes representatives from the four tribes in our region, the Southern Ute Nation, The Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Nation.  Those four representatives join FLC students, an alumnus and faculty and staff on the board.

Here are the honorable members of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Advisory Board as of Fall, 2009:

Tribal Representatives
  • Dr. Lester Sandoval, Research and Development Specialist, Jicarilla Apache Nation
  • Dr. Ferlin Clark, President - Dinè College, Navajo Nation (FLC alumnus)
  • Travis Blackbird, Academic Advisor, Higher Education Department, Southern Ute Nation
  • Robert Rime, Education Director, Ute Mountain Ute Nation
Student Representatives
  • James Craig
  • Asa Washines
Alumni Representative
  • Tina Deschenie
School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Representatives
  • Dr. Mary Jean Moseley, Department of English
  • Carey Vicenti, Department of Sociology
School of Business Administration Representative
  • Charles “Skip” Page, Computer Science and Information Systems
School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Representative
  • Dr. Kathy Fine-Dare, Department of Anthropology
Teacher Education Division
  • Dr. Richard Fulton
Library and Information Services
  • Elayne Silversmith, Librarian, Delaney Southwest Research Library
    Chair of the NAIS Board
Native American Center Director
  • Yvonne Bilinski
Student Services
  • Brian Francis, Director of Upward Bound Program
Ex Officio
  • Dr. Ken Pepion, Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Linda Schott, Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Dr. Rick Wheelock, Coordinator of Native American and Indigenous Studies
  • Dr. Majel Boxer, NAIS Faculty