On December 11, NOC/NASNTI teamed up with Kaw Nation at their Tribal Access Site in Newkirk to provide on-site enrollment assistance. Through this access site and 5 others in the local region, students are able to participate in ITV and online courses that will count toward a 2 year degree.

(Pictured left to right: Kelly Jordan, Teyonna Weasel Bear, Sara Hawkins)

Native American author Walter Echo-Hawk and artist Sonny Howell spoke to Northern Oklahoma students and staff Nov. 15 at the Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) on the NOC Tonkawa campus.

The lecture and artist reception were part of Native American Heritage Month at NOC.

Echo-Hawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, lectured on his 2018 book, Sea of Grass, while Howell explained the inspiration behind his art.

Echo-Hawk is an author, attorney, and legal scholar.

Echo-Hawk’s book describes the story of the Pawnee Nation from its roots in the North American Central Plains. The book explores 10 generations of Echo-Hawk’s family from the 1700’s to the present day.

“This book was written because Native Americans need to tell their own story,” he said. “So many of our books are written by non-Native Americans that sometimes show us through the stereotypes of Hollywood. It’s telling our story with our own voices.”

Echo-Hawk encouraged all to research their ancestry and record that information for future generations. He said he was inspired by Alex Haley’s Roots, the story of African Americans from their roots in Africa to the southern states.

A Pawnee Indian with a BA, Political Science, Oklahoma St. Univ. (1970) and JD, UNM (1973), Echo-Hawk practices law in Oklahoma. He serves as Chair, Board of Directors, Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (); and is on the “Knowledge Givers” advisory board for Oklahoma’s American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

In private practice (2009-2019) Echo-Hawk has represented various Oklahoma tribes; served as a Justice on the Supreme Courts of the Pawnee Nation and Kickapoo Nation; taught at Federal Indian Law at the law schools of Tulsa University, Lewis & Clark, and University of Hawaii. Copies of Sea of Grass are available for student and faculty check-out in the CEC.

A reception honoring Pawnee artist Sonny Howell followed the book lecture. Howell is a full blood Pawnee of the Skidi “Wolf” band of the Pawnee and draws inspiration for his art from his heritage and life experiences.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1982-1990, Howell attended Cameron University and graduated from OSU with a B.F.A. in Studio Arts. It was while attending college that Howell began to hone his artistic skills.

Howell remarked how artists such as T.C. Cannon inspired his artwork and explained the importance of bringing the Pawnee culture to life through his artwork. Participants of the reception listened intently as Howell explained the purpose and process that went into several of his paintings; including references to the people and places that are depicted in his artwork.

Howell’s exhibit will be on display in the Cultural Engagement Center until Friday, December 13. The CEC is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday while school is in session.

The exhibit and book lecture were made possible by a U.S. Department of Education grant through the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, is supportive of the initiative to provide activities that highlight Native American culture.

The CEC opened in 2017 and includes contemporary learning spaces where students, faculty, and/or tribal leaders can meet; individual study or collaborative projects can be conducted; culture-based learning activities and community/cultural events can be provided; professional development can be held; and small group or individual tutoring can occur. Northern is continually striving to support the Native American student population and is pleased to host events like this in order to honor our local tribal members and provide activities that educate on the local Native American culture.

 91成人, the state’s first public community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.

NOC, a public two year community college, serves 4,200 students on the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, online, and the University Center in Ponca City.

In 2019, NOC celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the Enid campus and a 15-year partnership with OSU for the Gateway Program.

NOC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science. The associate degree fulfills lower-division course work which is applicable towards a bachelor’s degree.

Call (580) 628-6200 for more information about 91成人 or visit  .

Native American artist Kristin Gentry spoke to a full house Friday afternoon at the Cultural Engagement Center at 91成人 Tonkawa.

Gentry explained to the audience how she uses art create to preserve her traditional Native American tribal culture.

“My grandfather worked with wood and my grandmother was very creative, they dragged me to art shows when I was a kid,” she said. “I was around art all my life and so it was natural for me.”

As a high school student at Berryhill High School near Tulsa, Gentry wanted to be a band director and earned a scholarship at Oklahoma State University but then she found art as her passion. She attended Tulsa Community College and then later attended OSU.

She learned her passion for Native American culture while a student at OSU.

“I didn’t know a lot about Native American culture growing up but when I attended OSU, I became interested in Native American culture and then began to use my art to re-learn my culture,” she said.

“I didn’t dance or speak Native American languages but I found another way to learn and express my culture and that was through art,” she said. “There are different ways to preserve the culture.”

Gentry uses many different designs in her art including a mixture of black and white as well as plus/minus images. She also uses sunflowers focusing on red and pink as the main colors. The flowers that Gentry uses in her artwork is representative of the pollination process of seeds. The seeds are an important part of Gentry’s heritage and she also has plans to research how certain plants may have made their way west during the long walks that her ancestors endured.

Gentry is a full time artist which allows her to spend time with her daughter. She also makes jewelry specializing in jewelry made from wood.

Gentry’s advice to students was to find their balance of life.

“Life is crazy sometimes with school, work, and family,” she said. “I was fortunate that my parents encouraged me to follow my passion, which was art, and I am grateful for their support. It is so important to have support group when choosing a career.”

Gentry is also part of the CEC Mentoring Program where she encourages students to use available resources and get involved with activities on campus.

“At NOC, you are so fortunate to have the CEC where students can come and study, get tutoring, and also be involved in student activities,” Gentry said. “Get involved with students that have similar interests that will help you become more comfortable on campus.”

She has exhibited her artwork in numerous juried, invited, open, and group shows across the Midwestern United States. She works as a professional visual artist in the areas of relief and monotype printmaking, painting, jewelry and photography. She also works as a writer, designer, and curator.

She worked as a full time arts educator in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and now works full time as an artist. Gentry is an enrolled member and registered artist of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and will finish her M.S. degree in Native Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2020.

She received the  in 2012. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in fine arts from Oklahoma State University in 2009, and graduated as a  denoting the top of her class.

She attained her Associate of Art in education from Tulsa Community College in 2005 as an Honor’s Scholar Graduate. She graduated from Berryhill high school in 2003.

Gentry’s art is available at  . The exhibit will be on display at NOC through September.

Among the audience were NOC students and an art class from Tonkawa High School.

The exhibit, provided by a U.S. Department of Education grant through the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, is supportive of the initiative to provide activities that highlight Native American culture.

The exhibit is housed in the Cultural Engagement Center through the month, ending on September 27. The CEC opened in 2017 and includes contemporary learning spaces where students, faculty, and/or tribal leaders can meet; individual study or collaborative projects can be conducted; culture-based learning activities and community/cultural events can be provided; professional development can be held; and small group or individual tutoring can occur. Northern is continually striving to support the Native American student population and was pleased to honor Gentry at this reception.

91成人 will be hosting an artist’s reception on Friday, Sept. 13 featuring the work of Native American artist Kristin Gentry.

The event will be held at the NOC Cultural Engagement Center from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Gentry is passionate about using her art to create different ways to preserve her traditional Native American tribal culture.

She has exhibited her artwork in numerous juried, invited, open, and group shows across the Midwestern United States. She works as a professional visual artist in the areas of relief and monotype printmaking, painting, jewelry and photography. She also works as a writer, designer, and curator.

She worked as a full time arts educator in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and now works full time as an artist. Gentry is an enrolled member and registered artist of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and will finish her M.S. degree in Native Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2020.
She received the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40 under 40 award in 2012. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in fine arts from Oklahoma State University in 2009, and graduated as a Senior of Significance denoting the top of her class.
She attained her Associate of Art in education from Tulsa Community College in 2005 as an Honor’s Scholar Graduate. She graduated from Berryhill high school in 2003.
Gentry was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband David, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and their daughter, Jewell Shooting Star. She is a professional member and has served as a regional and national board member of the Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc., Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition member, Tulsa Artists’ Coalition member, Southeastern Indian Artists Association member, and a member in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. She is in her second year as a member of the Matriarch Oklahoma-Tulsa Class.

She can often be found volunteering her time at AHHA Tulsa or at the Tulsa Artists’ Coalition. Kristin attributes her interest and love for the arts as instilled by her grandfather and woodcarver, James Oran Hoover, her family, her numerous fine arts professors, her mentor Benjamin Harjo Jr., and her beautiful heritage in which she draws her inspiration. Outside of her art career, Kristin is an avid gardener, often growing produce from heirloom seeds from the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations.

The exhibit, provided by a U.S. Department of Education grant through the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, is supportive of the initiative to provide activities that highlight Native American culture. The exhibit is housed in the Cultural Engagement Center through the month, ending on September 27. The CEC opened in 2017 and includes contemporary learning spaces where students, faculty, and/or tribal leaders can meet; individual study or collaborative projects can be conducted; culture-based learning activities  and community/cultural events can be provided; professional development can be held; and small group or individual tutoring can occur. Northern is continually striving to support the Native American student population and is pleased to honor Gentry at this reception.

“NOC: What’s Happening” September 6,2019

Over 75 91成人 students attended a College and Career Day Wednesday at the Cultural Engagement Center April 3.Twenty exhibitors attended the event, said NANTI Project Director Rae Ann Kruse.

The participants included Blackwell Police, Continental Carbon, Johnson Controls, Kaw Nation Domestic Violence, Kay County Sheriff’s Office, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, OG&E, Oklahoma City Police, Oklahoma State University, Ponca City Police Department, Seven Clans Casino, Tonkawa Casino, and University of Central Oklahoma.

Criminal Justice instructor Troy Cochran, Process Technology Director Dr. Frankie Wood-Black, and Digital Media Instructor Brad Matson brought their students to the event.

Students viewed the “Wall of Jobs,” a listing of dozens of job postings for area full-time, part-time, and summer positions for student employment.

Ashley Kirven-Bobier, OSU Transfer Coordinator, connected with Dr. Rick Edgington to establish monthly office hours to assist NOC students who wish to transition to Oklahoma State.

OG&E Talent Acquisition Lead, Charles Frank, offered to come back, provide lunch and discuss with NOC Pre-Engineering students the 30 paid summer internships that OG&E has available. Internships range from information technology to engineering and telecommunications.

Dr. Kruse, NASNTI Project Director, said, “The Career and College Fair was a great opportunity for our students who are going directly to the workforce to meet area employers. For our students who are continuing their education, we were very appreciative to have representatives from state universities attend and discuss next steps with our students. I was thrilled with the partnerships that were developed.”

The event was a NASNTI activity to support the college’s grant initiatives to improve career and transfer services for students.

Sasha Gibson and Charlene Le have never met, but they have a close relationship.

Le mentors Gibson, an Osage student at 91成人. The mentorship program is part of NOC’s Native American Serving, Non-Tribal Institution grant.The mentorship program was developed to connect Native American students with Native professionals who have been successful in college. The mentors have been trained in culturally-responsive strategies to engage Native American students. The goal is to increase retention and graduation rates of Native American students.

NOC partnered with six area tribes— Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca, and Tonkawa—in response to meeting the needs of Native students. Last school year, over 65 percent of Native freshmen received coaching and mentoring.

Gibson said, “Charlene communicates by calling me most of the time, but periodically sends me a text.” Charlene makes sure Sasha is succeeding academically and offers suggestions of places to get assistance if she is not doing well.

Gibson does not need the academic assistance. She was the 2017 valedictorian of Woodland High School and has done well at NOC. She added, “NOC faculty has treated me with nothing but respect and kindness.”

Gibson continued, “Charlene encourages me to try my hardest, do my best, and stay on the straight and narrow. She genuinely cares if I do well in class and in life in general. She is very kind and helpful!”

Le, who is Osage, Pawnee, Kiowa, and Euchee, believes her main goal as a mentor is to be a trusted advisor and keep her mentee’s best interests in mind. She makes herself available to support and advise her group of 20 Native students when they need it, delivering support in a way that makes sense to the student.

Le says Gibson is special because, “Sasha strives at being the best student she can be. I really admire that about her. Not all students have that drive to complete their education and maintain good grades.”

“I enjoy encouraging Native American youth in becoming successful in college. Being open to sharing my mistakes, failures, and accomplishments is one of the biggest gifts I can give as a mentor. Not only is it helpful but it builds trust, gives them permission to share their own mistakes and accomplishments as well, which strengthens the mentoring relationship overall,” added Le.

Gibson is a Criminal Justice major who plans to transfer to Oklahoma State and major in Human Sciences. Le believes Gibson will be successful. “Sasha is a smart young lady who will go far in her career due to her determination to be successful,” bragged Le.

Le is one of ten Native American mentors who work with over 400 Native American students on three NOC campuses—Tonkawa, Enid, and Stillwater.

Le lives in Tulsa and works for the Gatesway Foundation, a non-profit that encourages independence and provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Sasha is the daughter of Irene Gibson and Todd Gibson of Fairfax.