Native Affairs

Indigenizing UC Davis

For all generations that are from yesterday and today and tomorrow

 

Who We Are: Native American Affairs centers on the principles of Relationship, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Reparations within our work. We aim to create relationships, programs, policies, and procedures with these core values.

 

What We Do
  • Act as the point-of-contact for Native American organizations, communities, and individuals.
  • Act as the point of contact for Tribal Nations.
  • Facilitate and guide relationships between university entities and Native American communities/Tribal Nations.
  • Assist in the development of programs, policies, and procedures that help center Native American presence and perspective.
  • Provide conceptual and cultural leadership on Native American affairs to campus leaders and departments.
  • Provides Native perspective in meetings with campus leadership.

Native American Affairs Staff

Michelle Villegas-Frazier

Michelle Villegas-Frazier

  • Director | Pomo, Pinoleville
  • Strategic Native American Retention Initiative and Native American Academic Student Success Center, Native American/Alaskan Native and First Nations Affairs
  • mavillegas@ucdavis.edu
  • 530-754-6288

Michelle Villegas-Frazier, who previously worked for a decade in outreach programs on campus, returned to become the first director of Strategic Native American Retention Initiative in Student Affairs. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in Native American outreach and retention services and programs. Michelle will provide strategic leadership to identify opportunities for enhancing the persistence, achievement and graduation rates for Native American students. She will lead efforts to develop partnerships across the university and implement a plan to serve students from orientation through graduation. To schedule an appointment with Michelle, please email Jean at jmforlee@ucdavis.edu.

 

Nora Zade's Photo

Nora Zade

  • Program Coordinator | Pomo, Concow, Yuki, Wailaki (Round Valley), Pawnee, Tsalagi
  • Strategic Native American Retention Initiative and Native American Academic Student Success Center, Native American/Alaskan Native and First Nations Affairs
  • nszade@ucdavis.edu

Nora Zade is a UC Davis Alumni, graduating in 2022 with degrees in Native American Studies and Psychology. During her time at UC Davis, she worked at the Native American Academic Student Success center as a student assistant, which further cultivated her passion for supporting Native students in educational settings. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Multicultural Education at Sacramento State University. Nora is dedicated to improving Native people’s access to higher education, as well as promoting equitable relationships between educational institutions and tribal communities.

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