Native American Community
Welcome to our community for Native American and Indigenous Students at the University of Montana! We recognize the unique experiences, cultures, and strengths of Native American and Indigenous students and honor Tribal sovereignty and the political status of Tribal Nations while supporting your growth, exploration, and success. Rooted in the heart of campus at the Payne Family Native American Center, the University of Montana offers dedicated spaces and services, like American Indian Student Support Services (AISS), to help you thrive academically, culturally, and professionally. Whether you’re exploring career paths, building your résumé, or planning for graduate school, we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
This community virtual space was created in collaboration with the Payne Family Native American Center and American Indian Student Support Services to ensure that your experiences, goals, and cultural values are reflected in the resources and opportunities we provide. We’re honored to support Native American and Indigenous students in achieving academic, personal, and career success while upholding and respecting Tribal sovereignty and political status.
Learn more about Experiential Learning and Career Success and how we can help you achieve your goals.
Did You Know?
You can meet with a career coach who will help you access and support Native American and Indigenous students as you explore career options, prepare application materials, and navigate professional opportunities.
Contact
Carol Evanger, Assistant Director, Career Success Programs
Experiential Learning & Career Success | University of Montana
carol.evanger@mso.umt.edu
What You’ll Find Here
Explore Opportunities
- Programs, services, and articles that center on Native American and Indigenous experiences.
- Opportunities that may align with your goals, values, and interests.
Connect & Get Involved
- Student organizations and campus partners that provide connection, advocacy, and community for Native American and Indigenous students
Get Career-Ready
- Personalized career coaching.
- Résumé and interview guidance.
- LinkedIn profile support and Handshake assistance.
Be Informed
- Information and events that highlight Native American and Indigenous perspectives in career and academic pathways.
- Resources to help you build skills, expand your network, and achieve your professional goals.
All Grizzlies are welcome to explore from every community and resource we offer.
Start Here: Key Steps and Support
American Indian Student Services (AISS)
Offers peer mentoring, academic workshops, cultural programming, and scholarship support. Located within the Payne Center and provides resources and support to help Native American students succeed UM.
Indigenous Graduate Student Association
GSA cultivates a vibrant and supportive community for indigenous graduate students, regardless of their chosen fields of study. By providing resources, mentorship, and support.
KyiYo Native American Student Association (Kyiyo)
Engage the community in our cultural traditions to strengthen the identity of American Indians and Alaska Natives through cultural celebrations and vents like the annual Pow-Wow.
American Indian Gateway
The central hub for Native student resources including admissions advising, housing, and alumni connections.
Native American Center of Excellence (NACOE)
Based in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy (College of Health), NACOE recruits and supports Indigenous students pursuing health professions through mentorship, academic advising, public lecture series, summer programs, and community outreach. Additionally, NACOE partners with All Nations Health Center, TRiO programs, and AHEC for community health engagement.
American Indian Science & Engineering Society (UMAISES)
A chapter of the national AISES, dedicated to supporting Indigenous students in STEM through networking, scholarships, and regional events.
Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
Law student group focused on federal, tribal, and Indigenous legal issues—offering mentorship, networking, and advocacy opportunities.
Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic
Provides law students hands-on experience at the intersection of federal Indian and tribal law with all substantive areas of law; problem-solving; legal research and writing; policy and lawmaking, cross-cultural lawyering; effective time management, identifying/resolving ethical issues; access to justice.
American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL)
A premier student branch of the national AIBL organization, dedicated to empowering business students in the US through engaging and innovative educational experiences.
Native News Honors Project
A student-led initiative in the School of Journalism that focuses on reporting and publishing stories about key issues facing Montana’s seven tribal reservations, including missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The Payne Family Native American Center
The Payne Family Native American Center is a welcoming space that reflects the University of Montana’s commitment to Indigenous peoples. Located on a historic Salish Indian encampment, it is the first center in the U.S. dedicated to Native American Studies and American Indian Student Services, featuring study lounges and classrooms.
“But wait! This isn’t me!”
These communities are one way to organize resources and opportunities based on common student experiences. All Grizzlies are encouraged to explore every page and resource. Our career coaches are here to support every student.
Don’t see a community that reflects your experience, interests, or goals?
We welcome your feedback. Reach out to one of our career coaches — we’re here to help you find what you need:
UM Student Organizations & Campus Resources
Explore on-campus programs and organizations that support all students through peer connection, advocacy, academic services, and inclusive environments. These University of Montana resources promote accessibility and help students thrive academically and socially, offering mentorship, accommodations, leadership opportunities, and academic support to ensure full participation in campus life.
Want to dive deeper into UM’s student communities? Here’s where to go next—GrizHub, ASUM, WelcomeFeast, or your department.
Explore Student Life & Clubs
Organizations & Resources
The organizations listed are not affiliated with the University of Montana and are provided for informational purposes only.
Local & State
National
| Headquartered in Montana, AIBL empowers Native business students and professionals through leadership development, entrepreneurship competitions, and networking. |
Supports multicultural programming and connects diverse communities, including Latine residents, through the Missoula International Festival and other events.
Restoring Native sovereignty and justice through advocacy and community action.
Outdoor sports programs (e.g., ski-mountaineering, mountaineering, youth leadership) reconnecting Indigenous youth with ancestral lands.
Culturally rooted civic engagement and leadership development for Indigenous youth, with active Missoula programming and statewide reach
Supports Indigenous people in STEM through scholarships, mentorship, regional and national conferences, and job opportunities.
Advances the health of Native communities and supports Native individuals in medicine through conferences, mentoring, and leadership initiatives.
Promotes accurate and ethical reporting about Indigenous communities and supports Native journalists with training, fellowships, and an annual conference.
Promotes the conservation, development, and use of agricultural resources on Native lands and supports Native students in agriculture careers.
A national advocacy organization that also provides leadership development opportunities and policy fellowships for emerging Native professionals.
Focuses on improving educational outcomes for Native youth, supporting Native educators, and influencing education policy.
A network of Native American legal professionals advocating for Native legal representation, education, and sovereignty.
Supports tribal finance and economic development through professional training, policy advocacy, and leadership programs.
Offers leadership training and career pathways through military service, with tailored outreach and support for Native cadets.
| Promotes the success of Native and other underrepresented groups in STEM through career development, research conferences, and mentorship. |
Have suggestions to improve this space?
This space has been collaboratively developed with our UM partners and continues to evolve.
We truly appreciate your input and encourage you to share your ideas to help us enrich it.
