Mission Statement

The mission of the Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander Staff Association is to form a welcoming environment at UCOP for staff who identify as Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander and to provide meaningful opportunities for them to engage with the mission of the University of California.

History

NAIPISA (Pronunciation: NYE-PEA-SUH) was established in the Fall 2020. The group meets monthly on every third Friday. If you are interested in being added to the NAIPISA listserv or in attending our monthly meeting, please email NAIPISA@ucop.edu. 

Goals

There are three primary objectives of the Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander Staff Association. These objectives include:

  • Welcoming and socially onboarding new or returning UCOP staff who identify as Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander
  • Hosting events and public forums on issues, scholarship, policies and histories impacting Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islanders at the UC and in its external partnerships and initiatives; and
  • Improving the representation and career pathways of Native American, Indigenous and Pacific Islander staff at UCOP

Events

Native American Heritage Month (November)

During Native American Heritage Month, NAIPISA hosts events and webinars on issues, scholarship, policies, and histories impacting Native American and Indigenous communities at UC. For example, in 2022, we had two webinars: 1) a panel discussion with UC leadership on recruiting and retaining Native American and Indigenous Students at UC, and 2) the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and UC’s compliance with policy and state and federal laws. Also, in 2023, we collaborated with the Cal Native and Indigenous Alumni Association and UCOP Graduate, Undergraduate, and Equity Affairs to feature Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino, the founders of mak-‘amham/Cafe Ohlone. Medina and Trevino discussed their family stories, Ohlone resilience, and Ohlone culture in the East Bay area.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, NAIPISA hosts events and webinars, highlighting issues, scholarship, and histories impacting Pacific Islanders and/or Indigenous Peoples of Asia. For example, in 2021, NAIPISA collaborated with the Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association to sponsor a speaker series that included UC scholar Dr. Stephen Acabado, who explored how local histories and community engagement can facilitate decolonization of history and knowledge production among the Ifugao of the Philippines.

Recordings of Past Events

Dr. Lyla June Johnston’s “Deconstructing impostor syndrome: Embracing our gifts”
June 11, 2024
Video recording: https://ucop.box.com/s/w4qz7ljpsywzbw9wo0g4eax6a7u1osga

Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy and Dr. Wallace Cleaves’ “Indigenous land acknowledgements: Why they matter and why they are not enough”
November 1, 2021
Video recording: https://ucop.box.com/s/dlua16r8i8z3iyqt6olp9m7cdz89newx