News

  • Native Bruin: Past, Present & Future – Jennifer R. Leal
    Jennifer R. Leal

    This September we are highlighting Native Bruin Jennifer R. Leal from the Washoe and Paiute tribal community, Class of 2005. Jennifer R. Leal is a descendant of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and Mono Lake Paiute tribal communities. She graduated from UCLA in 2005 with a bachelor of arts degree in American Indian … Read more


  • Native Bruin – Past, Present & Emerging – Christie Michelle Poitra
    Christie Michelle Poitra

    This August we are highlighting Native Bruin Christie Michelle Poitra, Class of 2010. Dr. Christie Michelle Poitra graduated from UCLA in 2010 with a Master of Arts degree in American Indian Studies. As a first-generation college graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Educational Policy from Michigan … Read more


  • Native Bruin – Past, Present & Emerging -Shayna Powless (Oneida Nation)
    Shyna Powless

    This July we are highlighting Native Bruin Shayna Powless from the Oneida Nation, Class of 2016. Shayna Powless is a professional cyclist for DNA Pro Cycling and a member of the USA Track National Team. She is also a USA Cycling Certified Coach and Dream Catcher Foundation co-founder, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Native youth … Read more


  • Congratulations to the UCLA Native Bruins Class of 2023!

    Congratulations to the UCLA Native Bruins Class of 2023! The Students from AISA did an amazing job putting the graduation together along with inviting the 1st Native American California State Representative, Assemblymember James C. Ramos from the San Manuel Indian tribe to lead the graduates with an amazing commencement speech followed by an honor song. … Read more


  • Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Joseph Nelson

    This June we are highlighting Native Bruin Joseph Nelson / Kaaxúxgu from the Tlingit/Eyak Nation, Class of 1996. Joseph is a Native Bruin Class of 1996. BA in Political Science with a minor in American Indian Studies UCLA 1996, MA in American Indian Studies UCLA 1998, JD from Loyola Law School 2001. While at UCLA, … Read more


  • Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Nina Stanton (Tule River Indian Reservation)
    Nina Stanton

    This May we are highlighting Native Bruin, Nina Stanton (Tule River Indian Reservation) class of 1997. Nina Stanton is Yokuts from the Wukchumni and Chukchansi tribelets of the Tule River Indian Reservation. She is a 1997 UCLA graduate who earned a BA in history, and a minor in American Indian Studies. Nina began her studies at … Read more


  • Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Lorenzo Begay (Navajo/Mexican)

    This APRIL 2023 we are highlighting Native Bruin Lorenzo Begay Navajo/Mexican class of 2010 Lorenzo Begay is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at California State University, Chico where he teaches nursing foundational concepts of pharmacology, clinical judgment, patient-centered care, and clinical practice. He graduated from UCLA in 2010 with a B.A. in Anthropology and a … Read more


  • Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Aiko Little

    This MARCH 2023 we are highlighting Native Bruin Aiko Little (Oglala Lakota) class of 2020. Aiko Little is a Native American (Oglala Lakota) & Filipina writer, actor, and Vice Chair of the WGA’s Native American Indigenous Writer’s Committee. Aiko was recently staffed on GET IT for Amazon – an upcoming Native American series set in … Read more


  • Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Eric Morrison

    This FEBRUARY 2023 we are highlighting Native Bruin Eric Morrison from the Tlingit tribe, the first group of native students to attend UCLA in 1968. Eric (Tlingit name Koon’esh) Morrison has served as executive director of the Salamatof Tribe in Alaska since 2017. He has also served on the National Tribal Water Council for 20 … Read more


  • American Indian Studies Now a Full Academic Department

    After decades as a highly regarded interdepartmental program at UCLA, American Indian Studies has been elevated to a full academic department. This achievement is a tribute to the leadership and advocacy of Native American faculty, staff and students over many years. While American Indian Studies will continue its tradition of collaboration with other disciplines and … Read more


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