Press Release - 6/5/95
New Summer Program for Native American Youth at SOSC Campus
Konaway Nika Tillicum, an innovative, week-long, residential program
for Native American students completing grades 5 and 6 will be held for
the first time this summer on the Southern Oregon State College campus
in Ashland, OR. The program is a collaborative effort of Rogue
Community College (RCC) and Southern Oregon State (SOSC) and will
take place on August 18-24, 1995.
Konaway Nika Tillicum, which means "All My Relations" in the Chinook
Jargon will provide an integrated exploration for middle school age
Native students from around the state. This program for Native youth will
provide academic enrichment and exposure to education and career
options within the context of the rich traditions of Native peoples in this
region. Activities planned include classes, trips, cultural experiences,
lectures, and recreational activities.
Some of the unique features of the program are the Elders in
Residence component involving tribal elders and the mentoring
component involving Native high school students as junior counselors
and Native college students as counselors.
Another innovative aspect of Konaway Nika Tillicum is that it involves
collaboration between community and four year colleges around the
state. Project Director, David West, is a counselor at RCC. Carol Jensen
at SOSC Youth Programs of the Extended Campus Programs has been
working with Konaway Nika Tillicum administration and coordination.
The University of Oregon is hoping to offer a similar program for high
school age Native students in the future. James Florendo at UO is
spearheading this effort.
This youth program is also unique in that it is based on input from the
nine federally recognized tribes and urban Indian communities in Oregon.
In October, 1994, a planning symposium was held on the SOSC campus
that laid the groundwork for Konaway Nika Tillicum. Follow up to the
Symposium included mailings, telephone calls, and a survey to
participants, tribes, Johnson O'Malley and Title V staff, and schools.
The project staff of Konaway Nika Tillicum have been active in
fundraising efforts to offset the cost per student of $395 for the six day
program. So far, a grant has been awarded from the Oregon Community
Foundation and other proposals are being reviewed. SOSC and RCC
have also committed support and resources to the project. Financial
assistance is available to students from the nine Oregon tribes and to
students in urban areas.
Native American students completing fifth and sixth grade are
encouraged to apply to attend Konaway Nika Tillicum. Applications are
also being accepted for teachers and counselors. For more information,
call Carol Jensen at SOSC Youth Programs, 503-552-5331, or write to:
Native American Youth
Extended Campus Programs
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520