Kestrel Smith's Conference Summary

     Kestrel Smith
     Ph.D. Student
     American Indian Studies GIDP

     Conference Summary
     The College Board's Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI)
     Albuquerque, New Mexico

Attending this year’s 10th anniversary of the Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI) annual conference provided me with numerous opportunities to network with other education professionals dedicated to improving educational opportunities for Native students. Not only was I able to share my own dissertation research with those who have the capacity use it to make positive change in Indian Country, but I was also able to listen and learn from those with decades of experience in the field to improve my own understanding of the issues surrounding Native education. Each day of the NASAI conference combined concurrent sessions, roundtable sessions, and plenary speakers in order to provide conference participants with a range of topics relating to Native education. I was able to attend presentations on issues such as cultural awareness and sensitivity in education, how educational institutions can help empower Native students to succeed, and how to successfully build collaborative partnerships between K-12 and higher education to better help prepare and support Native students in their educational endeavors.

During my own presentation on the limited access Native students have to the SAT and ACT, not only was I able to share information that I consider to be an essential piece of the college application process, but I was also able to connect with educators and policy makers from tribal communities, mainstream organizations, and governmental institutions. The College Board representatives present at the NASAI meeting also expressed their interest in my research and we have since scheduled meetings to continue our discussions on the issues facing Native students. Additionally, I was able to connect with individuals who are interested in participating in my dissertation research through the interview and survey processes. Ultimately, attending this year’s NASAI conference proved to be beneficial to my own research as well as to those who were able to take the information presented through my research back to their communities and further enact positive change for the benefit of their students and communities.