TRIBAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presently the NAC is involved in several outreach projects and activities, such as:

• The Wisconsin American Indian Studies & Programs Consortium (WAIS)   

In conjunction with American Indian Studies faculty and American Indian staff in the field of higher education, the NAC has actively contributed to the recent establishment of a state-wide organization formed to 1) examine & respond to the educational needs of tribal communities in Wisconsin, and to 2) promote & strengthen American Indian studies as an academic discipline throughout the state.  Initially, WAIS has recognized the need to identify both the formal and informal educational needs of tribes, and to provide for meaningful and consistent tribal elder consultation.  Recently, WAIS initiated a lengthy process of dialogue which resulted in the drafting of important  standards for American Indian studies.  

• The Wisconsin Indian Youth Conference     (WIYC)

The WIYC is an annual, week-long conference designed for emerging Indian adults from throughout the state of Wisconsin, ages 14 to 17.  This pre-college program seeks to promote confidence, self-sufficiency, and leadership among participants.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has provided scholarships for students to attend the WIYC since 1990.   In addition, a partnership with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council's NARCH (Native American Research Center for Health) program, ten additional scholarships are available to those students interested in pursuing health care research and occupations in college.   Contact Sharon Cloud at UWSP for application forms to WIYC and Karen Goulet at GLITC for NARCH information. 

• Native American Language Preservation

Recognizing the critical significance of indigenous languages to tribal identity, the NAC actively supports collaboration among individuals and groups to preserve and revitalize use of Native American languages throughout the state.  To this end, NAC staff participate in various efforts related to Native language revitalization in Wisconsin, including Ojibwemowin Gabeshiwin, a week-long  summer immersion camp that promotes Ojibwe language learning among youth & young adults.  

In addition, an important research area under current examination is the adult acquisition of Native American languages.  Other endeavors include compilation of a directory of Native language resource persons, and various Native language media  prototype projects. 

•   Public Education

The NAC conducts periodic lectures and informational presentations for campus faculty, as well as area schools and community groups upon request.  Historically, the NAC staff have presented on a variety of topics related to American Indians, responding to presentation requests as time and resources allow.