Who we are and where we come from
Ours is a history of working to improve the quality of life for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. Our community reaches out to new students and their families to help them adjust to like at Stanford–to help them realize their goals and prepare for the future.
Our roots at Stanford date back earlier than the institution itself. Built on land originally inhabited by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, Stanford University opened its doors in 1891. Matriculating in 1894, John Milton Oskison was the first Native American to graduate from Stanford in 1898. Fueled by the spirit of social and political change during the 1960s, a group of Native students worked with the university administration to increase educational opportunities for Natives at Stanford. Since then, our numbers have increased, and students have continued to take an active role in increasing opportunities for our community at Stanford.
Today, there are more than 450 undergraduate and graduate students representing more than 50 tribes and island communities studying at Stanford.
SNIP & NSO
Stanford Native Immersion Program (SNIP)—an off-campus, pre-orientation retreat for freshmen and new transfers, September 15-20—returns its participants to campus on “Move-In Day”
New Student Orientation (NSO) undergraduate events hosted by the Native Community in 2022 include: NACC (Native American Cultural Center) Open House, September 21; Frybread & Musubi Night, September 23; Volleyball & Ice Cream Social, September 25; and Welcome/Welcome Back BBQ, September 29.
Graduate-specific welcome events include: the NACC at Graduate Orientation Activities Lunch & Information) GOALIE, September 23; Welcome/Welcome Back BBQ, September 29; and the Native Grad Students’ Welcome Dinner, October 6.
Inaugural Stanford Indigenous Alumni Summit
Stanford's first Indigenous Alumni Summit, originally imagined as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Stanford American Indian Organization (SAIO) in 2020-21, is scheduled for October 20, 2022! A collaborative effort of the Stanford Indigenous Alumni Association (SIAA), Stanford's Native American Cultural Center (NACC), and SAIO- the Summit will be a hybrid event open to those participants who travel to campus and others who prefer to participate online.
Contact: siaa@alumni.stanford.edu
SAIO 50 for 50
The SAIO 50 for 50 is a series of alumni spotlights to celebrate the Stanford American Indian Organization and Stanford Powwow’s 50th anniversaries.
• Read more about the anniversary here.
COVID-19 Guidance for Students
We want to assure you that we are taking steps to protect everyone’s health and safety. We invite you to join us in minimizing the prevalence and reducing the spread of COVID-19 on our campus.