Scottsdale Community College’s American Indian Program provides resources, assistance and services to Indigenous students attending SCC. Created in the 1970s by SCC students at the time, the program offers Native students help with enrollment, scholarship resources, a computer lab for printing/scanning/copying, as well as professional and personal opportunities. 

Currently, Belinda Gutierrez (Tohono O’odham Nation), Diedré Goodluck (Navajo) and Pam Yabeny (Navajo) serve as SCC’s AIP student liaisons.

On September 11, the AIP held an open house for current and prospective students. The SCC mascot, Artie the Artichoke, was on hand during the open house and happily visited with each of the information booths inside SCC’s Indigenous Cultural Center (ICC). 

During the open house, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community youth visited each of the vendor booths, where they were given SCC-themed freebies and goodies. As guests asked SCC faculty and staff questions about campus life, photos of recent SRPMIC graduates Nalani Lopez, Sistine Lewis and Shannon Reina played on a projector screen, highlighting the continued connection between the Community and SCC. 

This year, the AIP will be recognizing the history and enduring impact of the Indian boarding schools by hosting an Orange Shirt Day event on September 30 at the ICC in Suite 221/222. Molita Yazzie (Navajo) and Elena Selestewa (Hopi) are scheduled to be guest speakers during the post-screening panel discussion of the documentary “Returning Home.” The 2021 film showcases Phyllis Webstad, a boarding school survivor who founded Orange Shirt Day, a Canadian National Day of Remembrance for Indigenous children who suffered at residential schools.

The AIP at SCC also hosts Kovhi (the O’odham word for coffee) and Convos, a series that allows SCC students to network with faculty and staff. Each Kovhi and Convos event features free coffee and donuts. The next gathering will be on Wednesday, October 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Suite 203 at the ICC. 

Current and prospective students can contact the AIP liaisons by calling (480) 423-6450 or emailing AIP@scottsdalecc.edu.