Additional Historical Timelines

Learn more about our history! Explore information about the founding of SAIO, the removal of the Indian mascot of Stanford, NACC-AIANNHP Center timeline, and more.Stanford's Indian mascot, the timeline of the NACC-AIANNHP Center

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Additional Historical Timelines

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Founding of SAIO

1894

Two Native Americans are admitted to Stanford as freshmen—George Hughes and John Milton Oskison.

1898

John Milton Oskison is the first Native American to graduate from Stanford.

1965

Although a few Native Americans attended Stanford during the first have of the century, only 1 student is known to be enrolled at Stanford in 1965.

1968

14 Native Americans are counted among the enrolled students at Stanford.

1969

Alcatraz Occupation, November 20, 1969 (This protest for Native American rights, begun by San Francisco State University students, will last 19 months.)
A benefit concert for Alcatraz Occupation is held at Stanford's Memorial Church.

1970

25 more Native American students enroll at Stanford.
Stanford American Indian Organization forms on October 21, 1970.
Students prepare a needs assessment for Stanford Administration. Addressing the needs of isolation and culture shock of Native Americans at Stanford, the document advocates for a community center, theme residence, Native American Studies, retention services, and increased recruitment of students, staff, and faculty.
Stanford conducts its own Native American needs assessment. The new report's author, John Black, finds the Native American students to be more “needy” than the first report had estimated.

1971

External funding is received for Native American programming, staffing, and facilities from Educational Foundation of America.
“Tecumseh House” on Alvarado Row is SAIO's first headquarters. As a hub of activity for indigenous population on campus, this student space will pave the way for one of the ethnic community centers of the future—the Native American Cultural Center at Stanford.
Externally funded student interns, “Tecumseh Fellows” hired as peer counselors, program planners, financial aid and career advisors, newsletter writers, etc.
SAIO hosts First Stanford Powwow to offset the negative image of the Indian mascot and to bring a diverse Native American presence to the campus.

1972

Firetruck house is the site of SAIO's second headquarters after Tecumseh House is demolished to make way for the Law School.

1974

Native American Cultural Center opens at Clubhouse as SAIO’s headquarters and the site of frequent educational programming. Larry Rodgers paints mural over the fireplace that later becomes SAIO's logo.

1977

SAIO works together with students from UC Berkeley, community members from San Jose Indian Center, and others to produce the Stanford Powwow as a Bay Area wide effort.

1980

SAIO celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
SAIO sponsors class—“Federal Indian Law: A Survey and Analysis” taught by attorney and activist Dick Trudell and Professor Robert North.

1981

KZSU airs a half-hour Native American radio show, “Stanford on the Rez”, with undergrad William Thompson, 1981-82.

1984

68 Native Americans are counted among the students at Stanford.

1986

SAIO receives annual funding from the ASSU. The student body approves SAIO for a “Special Fee” a few years later, providing a substantial increase in funding for Native American awareness programming, etc.
Native American student and community organizations begin to form under the SAIO umbrella. In response to the great diversity within the community, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) chapter continues to be active. And, beginning in the late 1980s and continuing through the mid 1990s, 15-20 more Native American student groups would register with the University including Stanford Native American Graduate Students (SNAGS), Stanford American Indian Medical Students (SAIMS), Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), the Stanford Powwow Committee, Diné (Navajo), Anishinabe (Chippewa), Native American Christian Fellowship, Organization of North American Indian College Students, men's and women's groups, etc.

1987

SAIO unites with the BSU, MEChA, and AASA to form the Rainbow Coalition. The Coalition, advocating for the needs of students of color at Stanford, presents a list of demands to the University. Included in the demands are increased recruitment of students and faculty, improved curriculum and ethnic studies, a permanent ban of grapes—and a renewed commitment to discourage Indian mascot fanatics.
The University Committee on Minority Issues (UCMI) is the result of the Rainbow Coalition's push for a study of the quality of life for students of color at Stanford. UCMI consists of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and non-Stanford representatives will meet for 18 months

1989

Native American students start community newsletter, ComingVoice in the style of the earlier publication of Humming Arrows.
Native Hawaiian students advocate for inclusion in the Native American ethnic category to increase recruitment, provide support services, etc.
The Final UCMI Report confirms that the quality of minority of life at Stanford is lacking and makes a number of recommendations for improving recruitment and retention of students, curriculum, Ethnic Center programming, etc. Unfortunately, the UCMI final report on staff announces that that Native American staff are “statistically insignificant.” In response to widespread outrage, UCMI's Staff Report is apologetically withdrawn and then reissued including Native American statistics.
The Final UCMI Report is released late in Spring Quarter directly to the Faculty Senate. Students, having waited for 18 months for the final report they initiated, object vehemently to being excluded from the review process. The University President's Office is occupied by students shortly thereafter and many were arrested.
There were no Native American students among those arrested. Neither were there any Native American student occupiers because the protest took place early on the Monday morning following the Powwow. However, the ropes used to tie the office doors shut were dropped off to the protesters by the Powwow Committee shortly after dawn that Monday.

1990

SAIO celebrates its 20th Anniversary!

1993

“In the Spirit of Giving: A Gathering of Cultures”, a special fundraising event for the AIANP emergency student fund, is held at the Stanford Shopping Center and features Native performers, authors, storytellers, and a silent auction of art works.
The Stanford American Alumni Association (SAIAA) organized and chartered with the Stanford Alumni Association.

1994

The Native American Law Student Association sponsors a national Native American Water Rights Conference.

1995

A special Stanford Art Gallery exhibit, “Our Art, Our Voices: Native American Cultural Perspectives” is curated to celebrate SAIO's Silver Anniversary. The exhibit presents Native culture through from the viewpoints of 12 Native American Stanford alumni.
Stanford Trustee Charles Ogletree, inspires an Alumni Hall of Fame for the four ethnic community centers to draw attention to the many accomplishments of our Native American, African American, Asian American, and Chicano/Latino alumni. Inductions are made each year during Alumni Homecoming. The Native American Cultural Center will induct John Milton Oskison, Woesha Cloud North, Margo D. Kerrigan, John Gonzales, Debora Norris and Sandra Begay-Campbell in the next from 1995-2000.

1996

The first edition of Rising Spirit: A journal of expression from the Stanford Native American Community is published.

1997

SAIO hosts a huge Native American Awareness Week with speakers, artists, medical professionals, films, food, and a field trip.

2000

SAIO continues the tradition of coalitioning with MEChA, the Chicano student and co-sponsors Indigenous People’s Day activities. Held on what some celebrate as Columbus Day, indigenous people at Stanford gather to discuss issues of importance to our populations, to share a meal and to participate in a candlelight vigil.
SAIO celebrates its 30th Anniversary!

Stanford Mascot Timeline

1930s

Stanford University's football coach, Pop Warner, is the first to use the Indian as a mascot for Stanford's athletic teams.

1970

On November 22, 1970, Stanford American Indian Organization (SAIO) members petition for removal of Stanford's Indian mascot—both the logo (as a “false image of the American Indian”) and the man, Timm Williams (whose live performances at sporting events were a “mockery of Indian religious practices.”) Native American students position themselves outside the Stanford Stadium at the Big Game against the University of California with banners saying “Indians are people, not mascots.”

1971

The Stanford American Indian Organization hosts First Stanford Powwow to offset the negative image of the Indian mascot and to bring a diverse Native American presence to the campus.

1972

Formal removal of Indian mascot by Stanford President Richard Lyman, the Board of Trustees, and ASSU.

1987

SAIO unites with the BSU, MEChA, and AASA to form the Rainbow Coalition. The Coalition, advocating for the needs of students of color at Stanford, presents a list of demands to the University. Included in the demands are increased recruitment of students and faculty, improved curriculum and ethnic studies, a permanent ban of grapes—and a renewed commitment to discourage Indian mascot fanatics.

1993

The Stanford Review launches “Smoke Signals”—an editorial commentary topped with an image of “The Chief.” Although the Native American Community at Stanford was quick to voice its disapproval of the hurtful caricature—that bore a striking resemblance to the Indian logo banned in 1972—the newspaper editor maintained that the use of the image was protected under the Freedom of Free Speech. (The Native American Community believed that the image of “The Chief” was intended to remind readers of the old mascot and to keep hope alive that it would be reinstated.) After months of debate and a change of editors, The Stanford Review discontinued the use of the caricature but kept the “Smoke Signals” commentary.

1996

The Stanford Bookstore agrees to remove offensive merchandise from shelves. Native American students and alumni had been quick to speak out against shirts with an “Indian motif” as being reminiscent of the Stanford Indian mascot banned in 1972.

1997

A wannabe Stanford Tree proposes, as part of his campaign to get elected as the Stanford mascot, proposes to live in White Plaza, first as the former Indian mascot and then transform and emerge as the Stanford Tree. SAIO (and friends) talk him out of it.
The Stanford Golf Club produces 300 shirts for sale—embroidered with the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Program logo. Used without permission—and once again, reminiscent of the Stanford Indian mascot banned in 1972. The Golf Club removes the merchandise from the shelves.
The Stanford Daily prints a story about a Woodside High School senior “running for Stanford admission.” Part of the high school student's campaign is to “set up a 30-foot tipi in front of the (Stanford) stadium entrance...” The Stanford Indian mascot was removed in 1972, yet the struggle goes on.

2018

Dahkota Brown '20 becomes the first Native student to become the Stanford Tree.

Establishing the Stanford Powwow

1971

The Stanford American Indian Organization hosts the First Stanford Powwow to offset the negative image of the Indian mascot and to bring a diverse Native American presence to the campus. The Powwow brings Native American dancers, singers and artists from all over the United States and Canada to the Stanford campus—and with it, a rare opportunity for Native and non-Natives to experience a wide variety of indigenous cultures.

1976

A shade canopy system using 9 World War II surplus parachutes is designed for the Stanford Powwow by Alan Strain, a long-time friend of the Native American community. The parachute canopy continues to be used until the mid-1980s. The Powwow is held will continue to be held annually on the Intermural Soccer Field next to the Stadium.

1977

SAIO works together with students from the UC Berkeley, community members from San Jose Indian Center, and others to produce the Stanford Powwow as a Bay Area wide effort.

1986

Past Stanford Powwow posters are collected and framed to give the Native American Cultural Center a sense of history and family!

1993

“In the Spirit of Giving: A Gathering of Cultures”, a special fundraising event for the Native American Cultural Center emergency student fund, is held at the Stanford Shopping Center and features Native performers, authors, storytellers, and a silent auction of art works. The silent auction fundraiser is continued in the future at the Powwow.

1994

The Stanford Powwow gets rained on—and again in 1995!

1997

Powwow moves to Eucalyptus Grove near the corner of Galvez and Campus Drives. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe continues to bless the “Powwow Grounds” each year to assure a successful event for our students and all who attend.

NACC-AIANNHP Center Timeline

1970

Students prepare a needs assessment for Stanford Administration. Addressing the needs of isolation and culture shock of Native Americans at Stanford, the document advocates for a community center, theme residence, Native American Studies, retention services, and increased recruitment of students, staff, and faculty.
Stanford conducts its own Native American needs assessment. The new report's author, John Black, finds the Native American students to be more “needy” than the students’ report had estimated.

1971

External funding is received for Native American programming, staffing, and facilities from Educational Foundation of America
“Tecumseh House” on Alvarado Row is SAIO's first headquarters. As a hub of activity for indigenous population on campus, this student space will pave the way for one of the ethnic community centers of the future—the Native American Cultural Center at Stanford.
Externally funded student interns, “Tecumseh Fellows” hired as peer counselors, program planners, financial aid and career advisors, newsletter writers, etc.
First graduate student interns (Chris McNeil) hired as recruiter and counselor (Chris Peters) for Native American undergraduate students.
First Assistant Dean of Students (Gwen Shunatona) hired—with University funds—as advocate for Native American undergraduate students.
Firetruck house is the site of SAIO's second headquarters after Tecumseh House is demolished to make way for the Law School.

1974

Native American Cultural Center opens at Clubhouse on February 22. Larry Rodgers paints mural over the fireplace that later becomes SAIO's logo.

1975

First graduate student intern (Hartman Lomawaima) hired as advocate for Native American graduate students.

1976

Second Assistant Dean of Students (Larry Gorospe) is hired as advocate for Native American undergraduate students. After Gorospe leaves Stanford, the advocacy of Native Students is provided through a series of interiim appointments including Patricia Fresh, Wayne Johnson, and Frank Redner.
The Native American Cultural Center is renovated through a grant from the Sears Foundation. A 10 piece modular couch, a conference table, and woven-wood window shades are purchased to spruce up the place.

1978

American Indian Movement co-founder, Dennis Banks teaches a SWOPSI (Stanford Workshop on Social and Political Issues) course on American Indian Activism.

1980

SAIO sponsors class—“Federal Indian Law: A Survey and Analysis” taught by attorney and activist Dick Trudell and Professor Robert North.

1981

George Clever hired as Assistant Dean of Students—50% Native American Advisor and 50% Counseling Dean (a forerunner to future Residence Dean positions).
Seven new Native American undergraduates enroll at Stanford. In lieu of a Native American recruiter within Undergraduate Admissions, the Assistant Dean of Students is invited to read applicant files and make recommendations.
First Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies (Anne Medicine) hired as recruiter and advocate Native American graduate students.
A Native American Cultural Week, sponsored by Anne Medicine and Graduate Studies is held during the week preceding the Stanford Powwow.
“Stanford at Zuni” becomes an off campus academic option (similar to Overseas Studies programs.)

1983

Undergraduate Tony Kahn creates a mural for the Native American Cultural center using a traditional Navajo style of painting.

1984

68 Native Americans are counted among the students at Stanford.

1985

Jim Larimore hired as Assistant Dean/Director of the American Indian Program. (Responsibilities expand further to 150% effort—50% Native American Advisor, 50% Residence Dean, and 50% oversight of Native American Cultural Center.)
A Lakota language class is taught by Calvin Fast Wolf at the Native American Cultural Center. Other languages, including Cherokee, Navajo and Potawatomi, had been initiated over the years by Native American students.

1986

The Native American Cultural Center is refurnished with new carpet, a new 10 piece modular couch, and new conference chairs.
Past Stanford Powwow posters are collected and framed—as are photographs of many Native American students and alumni— to give the NACC a sense of history and family!

1988

American Indian Program staff (Jim Larimore, Denni Woodward, and Connie Byrd) share office space with the Asian American Activities Center staff (Julian Low and Elsa Tsutsaoka) upstairs in the Clubhouse #13!
The American Indian Summer Immersion Program, a transition program for admitted Native American Stanford frosh, is funded by the Irvine Foundation.
The American Indian Staff Forum is created to create a collective voice for the Native staff and faculty of Stanford University, Hospital, and the Linear Accelerator Center.
Native Hawaiian students advocate for inclusion in the Native American ethnic category to increase recruitment, provide support services, etc.

1989

Following the UCMI Interim Report, the Ethnic Center Directors' positions are increased from 50% to full time.
Mabel Pike, Tlingit artist, storyteller, and elder, makes her first annual visit to Stanford as a Visiting Artist in Residence. She returns to Stanford for the next ten years.

1992

The first Native American recruiter (Nicole Burrell) is hired by Undergraduate Admissions. Keith Light , Chris Poncé and Vince Cuseo, although non-Native, had focused on the recruitment of Native Americans in the past.
The first Native American studies professor (Robert Warrior) is hired. In addition to teaching courses within the English Department, Professor Warrior is required to teach Native American studies classes.

1993

The American Indian and Alaska Native Program (AIANP) office staff—Jim Larimore, Denni Woodward and Beverly Corriere—moves out of the space shared with the Asian American Activities Center downstairs to space adjoining the Native American Cultural Center after the long time occupants Volunteers In Asia program move to the Haas Center for Public Service
The Native American Resource Center opens and is furnished through a monetary gift from Gordon Russell. The Resource Center houses study room facilities, meeting space, and an extensive library of Native American books, tapes, and videos.
In the spirit of downsizing and budget cutting, it is suggested that the American Indian and Alaska Native program merge with the Asian American Activities Center—thereby eliminating the need for, and the cost of, separate directors. Students of color unite and host a public forum to demonstrate the continuing need (dating from the 1970s) for specialized services for their distinct communities.

1994

Following the forum presented by the students of color, and an extensive report prepared by the four ethnic community centers, the University President and Provost allocate funding ($25,000 each for a fixed term of two years) for academic, cultural programming, and graduate student programming.
The first American Indian Research Forum is co-sponsored by the AIANP and the Stanford Native American Graduate Students. The Forum provides an opportunity for both undergrads and grads from Stanford and other colleges and universities to discuss new currents in Native American scholarship across disciplines.
The John Milton Oskison Writing Competition (named for the first Native American Stanford graduate) begins and offers prizes to 2 undergraduate and 2 graduate students.
Benny Shendo hired as Assistant Dean and Director of the American Indian and Alaska Native Program.

1995

Native Hawaiian students are included within the Native American Community at Stanford. The Native American Cultural Center now serves all American Indians, Alaska Natives and Hawaiian Natives at Stanford.

1997

After nearly thirty years of contstant advocacy at Stanford, Native American Studies is born as part of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.
AIANNHP takes interim responsibility for Native American graduate recruitment following Anne Medicine's retirement.
The American Indian Staff Forum launches the Pam Hanitchak Lecture Series (named for AISF's founder).

1997

Winona Simms hired as Assistant Dean and Director of the American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Program/Native American Cultural Center.
Jarrid Whitney is hired by Undergraduate Admissions as the Native American recruiter.

2000

Greg Graves is hired at the Native American Graduate Student Recruiter and Retention Coordinator.