As an RA or student staff member, you’re often the first point of contact for residents who are figuring out how to feel at home on campus. However, not every student shows up with the same set of experiences or feels immediately included in campus life. For Indigenous students, the transition to college can come with some very specific challenges. This post is all about understanding what those experiences can look like and what one can actually do to support Indigenous students in your community.
It Starts With Awareness
Many college students who didn’t grow up in a native or indigenous community likely didn’t learn a lot about Indigenous communities growing up. And unfortunately, many overlook or misunderstand what Indigenous students are carrying with them when they come to college. Indigenous students are stepping into a space that wasn’t built with their culture, traditions, or history in mind. For some Indigenous students, they might be the first in their family to go to college. Some might come from tight-knit communities where identity and land are deeply connected. Others may have grown up in cities, away from their tribal nations, and feel like they’re always walking between two worlds. The experiences of native indigenous students are not all the same, but there are some themes to look out for.
Why College Can Feel Especially Disconnected
Imagine walking into a place where almost nothing reminds you of who you are or where you’re from. The names of buildings, the way classes are taught, even what counts as “professional.” It can all feel like it’s meant for someone else. For Indigenous students, college can feel like a place where they have to leave their identity at the door just to fit in or be seen as successful.
Now think about residence halls. These are supposed to be a student’s “home” on campus, but that can be hard when everything from the decor to the social norms are unfamiliar or even unwelcoming.
So what can you do?
Practical Things RAs Can Do to Support Indigenous Students
1. Get Curious And Stay Humble
Start by learning. You don’t need to be an expert on every Indigenous nation or issue, but knowing what tribal lands your campus sits on is a good start. (Check out this interactive map to find out more about what tribes inhabited your area.) Find out if your school has a Native student organization or cultural center, and what kinds of events they host. Avoid the trap of thinking you have to “represent” Indigenous students if you’re not Indigenous yourself. Instead, be a curious and respectful ally. Ask questions when it’s appropriate, and recognize that your residents are not there to educate you.
2. Notice Who’s Not at the Table
Look around your programming, events, and bulletin boards. Whose voices are represented? Whose traditions and holidays are being celebrated? If your community events never reflect Indigenous culture or history, it sends an unspoken message that it doesn’t matter here. You can change that. Add Indigenous artists, authors, or activists to your monthly highlights. Recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in a way that’s more than a calendar label. If you’re planning a community dinner, can you incorporate a dish from a local tribe (with respect and consultation)?
3. Don’t Assume “One Size Fits All”
“Indigenous” is not one single experience. A student from a Plains tribe may have completely different traditions and relationships to culture than someone from the Southwest or the Pacific Northwest. Some Indigenous students might be very connected to their culture; others may be reconnecting or just beginning that journey. So, skip the stereotypes. Don’t expect a student to speak for “all Native people.” And if you’re not sure how someone identifies, let them tell you (don’t guess).
4. Create Space for Belonging (Not Just Representation)
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is create a space where a student doesn’t have to explain or defend who they are. That can look like:
- Allowing time and space for reflection and cultural practice.
- Being flexible when students observe traditions that don’t align with the academic calendar.
- Not questioning or minimizing a student’s feelings of cultural disconnect or homesickness.
It’s not about tokenism. It’s about creating room for people to show up as their whole selves.
5. Amplify, Don’t Overstep
If there are Indigenous-led events happening on campus, promote them! Show up, and bring your residents along. Help make those events visible, especially if they’re getting overlooked. And if you’re working on a program or display that touches on Indigenous culture, make sure Indigenous students are leading the way or at least being meaningfully consulted. Don’t take charge of the narrative. Instead, pass the mic.
Final Thoughts
Being an RA means helping all students feel like they belong. For Indigenous students, belonging might mean being able to connect with their identity, practice their traditions, or simply not having to explain their background all the time. You don’t have to have all the answers. But by being intentional, open, and supportive, you can help create a living space that feels more like home.
Adapted from ResEdChat Ep 37: Understanding the Experiences of Indigenous Students On Campus
