On the 8th floor of the Healey Library, in the hallway between the elevators, a small room was filled with potential members attending the Native American Student Society’s (NASS) open house. A presentation, showcasing the clubs’ previous activities, collaborations and requirements to become an active club, was given.

“Right now the club is inactive,” says Hope Shwom, last year’s NASS president.

The club was unable to be active this semester because last year’s treasurer moved to San Francisco. Having a minimum amount of club members, Shwom held off from trying to activate the club this semester and chose to revamp for next semester. The club needs at least 15 students, a treasurer and a president.

“I’m graduating in December so I’ll no longer be able to hold that position,” said Shwom, who is majoring in Business Management

Throughout the year, NASS has numerous cultural activities such as trips to national parks, museums and Native American communities in the area. Last year, the club went to Thompson Island and participated in the fish weir project, where students used a Native American technique to trap fish. The club also collaborates with other Native American school organizations and programs in the area, like the North American Indian Center in Boston and the Harvard University Native American Program.

The open house was held in UMass Boston’s own Institute of New England Native American Studies (INENAS). The Institute was established in June 2009 and is unique to the region. NASS and INENAS are strong collaborators on many activities and programs. According to its webpage, INENAS’ mission is “to develop collaborative relationships, projects, and programs between Native American tribes of the New England region and all of the UMass campuses so that the tribes may participate in and benefit from university research, innovation, scholarship, and education.”

The open house also informed students about courses and research UMass Boston conducts in Native American studies. Students can also minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies.

If interested, students should visit the INENAS on the 8th floor of the Healey library or go to NASS’ Facebook page. NASS is open to all UMass Boston students interested in learning about and partaking in Native American culture.