Ah’rrao-wah, my name is Kylene Chino. I am a proud citizen from the Pueblo of Santa Ana and the Navajo Nation. My pronouns are she/her. I am a junior intending to double major in Political Science and Human Rights. The lifelong connections I have made through NAISA these past two years empowered my motivation to work towards growing it more. NAISA has become a family for me since I am miles from home, but I hope to increase the voices of Indigenous students and represent them in a way where they feel like they always have someone rooting for them in their corner. I am looking forward to dedicating my time to this club and working with the students to build towards our goal of Indigenizing UConn. 

Hello, I’m Sebastian April, a sophomore from Waterbury, CT, and a plant science major at UConn, soon to have a minor in cannabis cultivation. I am of Mi’kmaq descent and have been actively involved with NAISA since my freshman year. My introduction to the Native American Cultural Programs and NAISA stemmed from a USDA grant called New Beginnings, which facilitated my presence at UConn. Through this opportunity, I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by cultural relatives and forming lifelong friendships. As many upperclassmen have departed, I saw this as an opportune time to step into a leadership role as the Vice President. I aim to contribute to the community by sharing knowledge, fostering relationships, and expanding our network.

Chuh, my name is Ashlee Hamilton. I am a part of the Mohegan tribe in the Southeastern part of Connecticut. My pronouns are she/her. I am a junior majoring in Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems. I joined NAISA as a freshman to connect with others my age as well as familiarize myself with people from other tribes. I am excited to be a part of the team again as treasurer, as well as seeing new and old faces!