The Barometer Online

The Native American Longhouse held a campus-wide open house Thursday night to introduce students and staff to their facility.

Over fifty students and faculty came to the Longhouse to enjoy pizza and soda and learn more about the facility, located across from Weatherford Hall and the Memorial Union on the corner of 26th and Jefferson.

"The main goal is to support students, and retain students once they come to campus," said Longhouse external coordinator Tana Atchley-Juarez. "We also want to help educate people of non-Native culture."

Eddie O'Donnell, a third-year student in biochemistry, was happy to learn more about the Longhouse. "This is my first time here, but I'll definitely be coming back--it's a nice place," O'Donnell said.

While only 1 percent of the OSU student body --less than 200 students -- are of Native American descent, the Longhouse provides a facility for student organizations of all ethnic groups who need a place to meet. Currently AISES, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and NASA, Native American Student Association utilize the facility.

Established in 1971, the facility offers a conference room, sitting room, dining room and kitchen. It has also TVs, computers, and is open to any students looking for a place to study or just hang out.

Students can also find information about employment and scholarships at the Longhouse.

Melody Crosby, community outreach coordinator for the Longhouse, describes this place as a "home away from home," and hopes other members on campus will come and take advantage of its services.

"My goal is to get the community to come out and use the resources we have here," Crosby said. "We have a very friendly and outgoing staff."

The biggest event the Longhouse holds is the spring salmon bake, which attracted over 300 students on campus last year. The salmon is prepared traditionally, smoked on sticks over a fire.

Last year the event, held in conjunction with the annual OSU Pow-Wow, had traditional dancers and a poetry reading. Betsy Klum, Longhouse activities coordinator, is excited about the other events on campus. November is Native American History month and events are in the works.

This fall more events will take place, such as educational film nights, game nights, a welcome dinner for Native American students and the Jim Thorpe Fun-Run, named after the legendary Native American athlete, which includes a 5k run/walk around campus.

"We have so much to offer and it's a great community to be a part of," Klum said. "It's a resource that not many people have discovered."

Allison White Eyes, the Indian Education coordinator at OSU, serves as an adviser to the staff. Although the facility is run by students, once a month they meet with a group of staff members who serve as a board of advisors.

White Eyes enjoys working with the students and helping with their facility. "I'm always amazed at the ideas they come up with and the energy they come up with for those ideas," she said.

For more information, visit http://www.mu.oregonstate.edu/longhouse/.

Tara Sullivan, staff writer

campus@dailybarometer.com, 737-2232

Article Tools