Our mission

The Office of Indigenous Relations builds strong community connections, provides funding and resources, and creates supportive and culturally inclusive environments for Indigenous students, faculty, and communities.

Our communities
Five children wear traditional clothing for a powwow celebration, while other attendees stand behind them.

Projects and programs

A group of students participate in an activity during the 2023 Native Students Lead Program.

Native Students LEAD Summer Program

Learn. Empower. Achieve. Dream. We are accepting applications for the Native Students LEAD Program, a one-week immersive experience for Indigenous high school students to explore opportunities at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Learn more and apply

Native American mural art project

The University of Nevada, Reno and Office of Indigenous Relations is creating a mural that is part of the University’s sesquicentennial celebration and will serve as a space for gathering, reflection, and celebration of Native American Peoples.

Learn more about the mural project

Upcoming Events

There are currently no events

More Indigenous Relations Community Events
Six graduates pose for pictures on stage at the 2023 Affinity Graduation Celebration.

Congratulations to our graduates!

The Indigenous Graduate Celebration was held May 4, 2023 in the JCSU Ballroom. Spring Commencement ceremonies took place May 18-20, 2023.

Spring Commencement information
Daphne Emm Hooper and Rochanne Downs on campus in May 2023.

Nevada tribes continue to seek repatriation of ancestral remains

The University's Director of Indigenous Relations, Daphne Emm Hooper, and NAGPRA Liaison Rochanne Downs were featured in an article from The Nevada Independent about the state's efforts to repatriate ancestral remains.

(Photo credit: David Calvert/The Nevada Independent) 

Read the full article

Our communities

Nevada is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and the Wašiw (Washoe). These communities are comprised of 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils.

Are you looking to work with a Tribe?

If you would like to work with a Tribe on a program or research, please coordinate through our office and we will guide you through the process.

Contact us

Latest news

Travis Numan smiling standing in front of large boulders

Faces of the Pack: Travis Numan

November 06, 2023

Ph.D. student Travis Numan talks about his research on water rights, growing up on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation and the Native American Fee Waiver

Andrew Tobey posing in front of Pyramid Lake.

Learning and leading through Nevada INBRE Tribal Academy of Health and Science

October 31, 2023

Helping Native American students succeed in science and health occupations through mentorship and guidance

A group of fifteen students poses inside a building, holding up the Wolf Pack hand sign.

First Native LEAD program brings Indigenous students from around the state to campus, encouraging pursuit of higher education

September 01, 2023

Students from seven Native American Tribal communities stayed on campus for a week, meeting professors and learning about Wolf Pack resources

 

Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the University of Nevada, Reno is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands continue to be a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their deep connections to these places. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on their territory.