Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Native American Club was first organized in 1992 under the leadership of Jack Marken, Head of the English Department. The club was established with four primary objectives. These objectives included hosting prospective Native American students, providing academic support through tutoring, offering a space for Native American students to engage with their culture, and promoting cultural awareness through programs and activities for the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities.
The Native American Club sponsored a wide range of activities and events, including hand games tournaments, Indian taco sales, basketball tournaments, and Indigenous conferences. The organization is best known for establishing the South Dakota State University Wacipi. The club held its first contest Wacipi in 1977. After a hiatus, the contest resumed in 1990 and has since been held annually as a Native American Club event.
In 2015, the Native American Club changed its name to the American Indian Student Association. Following the name change, the scope of the organization’s objectives was reduced. The American Indian Student Association no longer hosted prospective Native American students or provided tutoring services. The association continues to provide a welcoming space for Native American students and to support cultural awareness programs and activities.