ASU's celebration of Native American Culture Week is more than fry bread and ancient dances.
For many Native American students, the weeklong celebration of culture reminds them of their rich heritage.
It is also a way for students to see the amount of support for them on campus, said Michael Begaye, program coordinator for the Native American Achievement Program at ASU.
"I think culture week is a really good way for native students to get exposure to the type of things they're doing here at ASU," he said. "They are representing their organization and, more so, representing the communities and tribes they are from."
This week's events, which range from a Ms. Indian ASU Pageant to group dances, will raise awareness of the presence of Native American students on campus, he said.
Native American students make up 2 percent of the ASU population, with more than 12 organizations on campus serving their needs.
But getting accustomed to ASU can be difficult as organizations work to keep retention rates high.
Out of all incoming freshman in 2002, 62 percent of Native Americans remained at main campus after their first year, according to the Office of Institutional Analysis.
The rate is up from 54 percent in 1995, a jump that Begaye attributed to more campus involvement.
Begaye said the adjustment to a new environment, coupled with newly-found independence, makes it distracting for students to concentrate on school.
American Indian Studies sophomore, Evereta Thinn, knows the challenges new students from reservations face.
"It was a big culture shock," said Thinn, who is from the Navajo reservation and is president of the pageant committee.
Thinn said events like culture week, which culminates with a large powwow at ASU, help students unite and reminds them of their roots.
Reach the reporter at jacqueline.shoyeb@asu.edu.
