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Researchers and students alike can use UNC's American Indian Center to learn more about the state's first inhabitants.
The center, which opened its doors this summer, will serve as a focal point for scholarship and service for American Indian issues.
"The center is a kind of catalyst to make people in the University aware of American Indian interests on campus and in the state," said Clara Sue Kidwell, the center's director.
Kidwell said the center's location is ideal because North Carolina has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River.
To increase access to American Indian scholars, the center will implement an elder-in-residence program, which will bring a nationally renowned academic to campus.
She said the center also will connect different researchers on campus and will work closely with the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs.
Once the center was given the green light, progress moved swiftly. UNC announced plans for the center last September, and the center opened in July.
"The physical presence of the center gives people a way to identify these people and show them these people are out there," Kidwell said.
Before the idea to create a center surfaced, American Indian issues were addressed by individual organizations working separately, said Kevin Maynor, associate chairman of the provost's committee on Native American issues.
"There are many areas in the University where the dynamics have come together," he said, adding that the center represents progress in the University's commitment to diversity.
Sophomore Ivey Locklear, who is part Lumbee, said she thinks the center will be a resource for the campus community.
"It's great just to have this one place where you can go to learn about your history and your country's history," Locklear said.
The books in the center's library are Kidwell's personal collection, which she toted from her previous post at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Kidwell said she is excited to help the center grow as a resource for students, faculty and the community, and she is in the process of planning a conference.
"I like getting in on the ground floor of things that are new."
She said North Carolina's dedication to higher education attracted her to the post.
During Kidwell's 12-year stint in her previous post, budget constraints put a damper on programming.
So Kidwell said that she is pleased with the center's $75,000 annual budget but that the center still will need to fundraise to meet all of its goals.
"When you think about it, $75,000 is not a whole lot - when you consider the cost of doing conferences, speakers and seminars," she said.
The center will host an open house Sept. 14, and Kidwell said she hopes all who are interested or curious should stop by the center.
"We want people to come and see what we're all about and see that Indians are alive and well in North Carolina."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
