About Us
Six Directions, originally founded in 1994 by alumni Desiree Martinez and Bryan Brayboy, is a student interest group at the University of Pennsylvania that is dedicated to raising awareness of Native Americans on Penn’s campus. In 2001, members Jaime Hale and Sabrina Austin revived the group, as it had lost momentum. Throughout its past, Six Directions has worked closely with the University’s faculty and staff. The concerns that we have brought to the University’s attention are centered on the topics of recruitment, retention, creating Native American Studies program or a minor, and increasing Native American faculty and staff. We feel that the university must continuously try to improve its recruitment efforts and that by creating a Native American Studies Program that provides courses linked with our department of Anthropology, the School of Nursing, and the Wharton School of Business the University of Pennsylvania could offer a unique experience to Native American students who are interested in studying in an urban environment. Currently, our activities include, but are not limited to:
-General meetings for discussion and planning, which are intended to provide a community for all current students who are interested in Native American issues,
-Meeting with university faculty and staff to increase awareness of Native Americans at Penn,
-Creating a residential program with a focus on Native American culture, to provide more of a welcoming atmosphere for incoming Native American students,
-Attending the meetings of the All Ivy Native Council,
-Attending local Native American events such as powwows and speeches,
-Participating in the United Minorities Council (UMC) of the University of Pennsylvania and their cultural activities such as Celebration of Cultures,
-Inviting and listening to professors from the university who speak on Native American subjects,
-Attending lectures of the “ Dialogues Across Indian Country" Lecture Series, which features prominent Native American figures, who speak on their topic of interest.
-Building relationships with local Native American community and assisting in community outreach as needed