News from the Intertribal Resource Center at UC San Diego
Issue #42 Spring 2021 - June
UC San Diego Intertribal Resource Center

We are celebrating our Native Grads this month and winding down another academic year of virtual programs. We're busy planning summer projects and looking ahead to the Fall when we're able to welcome students back to campus and back to the Center! Stay tuned for future events, in-person programs and the reopening of the Center.

Thanks for being part of our online community, we can't wait to see you again in person.


Connecting you to information and resources for
Native American students and communities at UC San Diego.
Happy Pride Month from the ITRC!
In This Issue...
June Celebrations
Ask a Native Triton
What We've Been Up To
Student Organizations
Campus News
Community News
June Celebrations
We want to celebrate with you!
Share your birthday, tell us about a special accomplishment, or recognize another Native Triton! Click below to share the love!

Ask a Native Triton...
Each month, we like to profile one of our amazing Native American students at UC San Diego. If you would like to nominate a Native American student at UC San Diego for us to feature you can email us at itrc@ucsd.edu.
The ITRC is proud to introduce...
Melanie Estrella
Pasqua Yaqui
Thurgood Marshall College
Major: Sociology; concentration in Law and Society
Hometown: La Mirada, CA
What made you choose UC San Diego and what do you like best about the school?
I chose UCSD because I saw a lot of opportunities for growth. UCSD has an array of clubs and organizations to get involved in, no matter what you’re interested in; and a community of like-minded people awaiting you once you get there. In addition, I am a Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship recipient, so this made UCSD financially affordable for me, and I am truly grateful for this program. What I like best about UCSD is the people, everyone I have met so far (within limits, since I am on-campus during the pandemic), whether that be through ITRC and NASA, other faculty and other students, has been so kind to me and passionate about what they do, it is very inspiring. 

What advice do you have for future Native college students?
Since I’m a first year student and everything is online, I was nervous when reaching out to ITRC and NASA. But when I did, everyone was so welcoming and helpful. My advice to future Native college students is to not be afraid to make more connections, whether that be with UCSD professors/TAs, or resource centers and clubs on-campus. Imposter-syndrome can be deafening at times, especially as a Native student trying to establish a place on-campus, but communities like these make your voice heard and understand what you’re going through. The most important thing is, you’re not alone! Everyone is figuring out their place in the world, and at UCSD, so communicating with others and finding a safe space is important when the stress of academics feels overwhelming.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I have been reading more in my free time, especially outside on the grass of Marshall or anywhere where it's sunny on-campus. I also like to go out to eat with my suitemates, as they have shown me new cuisine such as vegan restaurants and all-you-can-eat sushi. I like to take walks on-campus and explore all the hidden cool places UCSD has to offer, such as the rooftop garden in Revelle. When I’m not doing any of those, as simple as it is, I love to curl up in bed with my laptop and a good binge-worthy show.
What We've Been Up To
Black Indigenous Voices: Dr. Gabrielle Tayac
The Intertribal Resource Center, the Black Resource Center, and the Ethnic Studies Department hosted the third talk in the Black Indigenous Voices series. Speaker Dr. Gabrielle Tayac (Piscataway) spoke about her work on the exhibit for the National Museum of the American Indian "IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas." If you were unable to attend you can watch the full talk HERE.
The Kumeyaay Community Garden: Learning Through the Land
As part of the Learning and Teaching for Justice Conference hosted by Marshall College the Kumeyaay Garden Committee held a talk regarding their work on the garden and invited community members involved in the garden project to speak about their experience. Featured speakers include Kristie Orosco (San Basqual Band of Indians), Persephone Lewis (Yomba Band of Shoshone Indians), and ITRC coordinator Corrine (Catawba).

You can watch the recorded session HERE.
Frybread Lunch with Rincon Indian Health Council
In lieu of meeting and feeding community members in person the ITRC was able to donate 100 Indian Taco lunch plates to the Rincon Indian Health Council this past month as part of the San Diego Intercollegiate Virtual Powwow and as a thank you to our community's first responders. Leila Jose (Yuma Quechan Nation and Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians) was our frybread chef for the event. You can watch a recording of her frybread demonstration that we aired as part of the virtual powwow HERE.

Pictured here is UCSD Native American Triton Anthony H. serving up a frybread plate for first responders.
Native American Student Organizations
Interested in Native American culture, issues and community? Come check out our student organizations...


Native American Student Alliance
Zoom Meeting Info: Link
Meeting ID: 918 9951 8479
Password: 984649

Questions? Contact ucsd.nasa@gmail.com

American Indian Graduate Student Association
Zoom Meeting Info: Link
Meeting ID: 918 7352 8440

Contact: aigsa@ucsd.edu



Association of Native American Medical Students
Questions? Contact ucsandiego.anams@gmail.com
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
UC San Diego Chapter
Contact: aises@ucsd.edu
Are you a Native American student majoring in Health/Science? Well the CA-NARCH program is for you!

Contact Geneva Lofton for more information:

Geneva Lofton
American Indian Coordinator
Campus News
Community News
EDI Programs & Campus Community Centers
Contact Us:
UC San Diego Intertribal Resource Center | (858) 822-0048 | itrc@ucsd.edu
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0028
Located on the 2nd Floor of Price Center West across from SPACES (right above Subway and Rubios)