The United Native American Student Association (UNASA) is a student-run organization that fosters a community for Native and non-Native students alike.
“UNASA’s mission is to disseminate information about Indigenous cultures and peoples, and to promote their inclusion in the university community,” according to the organization’s website.
UNASA was originally founded on Iowa State’s campus in 2018, but due to COVID-19, the organization lost the members and funding required to keep its club status on campus.
“We have such a small Native population on campus that there isn’t much representation anywhere,” Jen McClung, associate teaching professor for the English Department and advisor of UNASA, said. “Having a dedicated club and organization for our Native students to connect with each other and share their common experiences or their different experiences at Iowa State I feel like is really important.”
The organization became a recognized club on campus again in the fall semester of 2023. Tate Tromblay, the president of UNASA and a sophomore majoring in accounting, took the task of revamping the organization as a personal duty.
“Almost everyone in the club was a senior,” Tromblay said. “A lot of them were trying to finish up, trying to graduate. I was actually the only freshman who consistently showed up to the meetings. […] I was delegated the role of president about a week before ClubFest.”
Since ClubFest, Tromblay has worked hand-in-hand with the current vice president and ex-president of UNASA, Sam Peters.
Tromblay said Peters acts as a bridge between the new members and the old members of the organization. Peters uses his previous experience as president to help Tromblay communicate with previous members of UNASA for information, while Tromblay takes the job of welcoming new members to the organization.
“I really felt like I was welcomed [when I first came to UNASA],” Tromblay said. “They just treated me as their own and like family. I really liked that sense of community.”
UNASA is one of two student organizations on Iowa State’s campus that are aimed at the Native American community, with the other being The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science-Student Chapter.
UNASA is the only student organization on Iowa State’s campus aimed towards just the Native American community, without a major or career field attached.
“There aren’t a lot of spaces that support Native people out in the world,” McClung said. “I think having that space and that group on campus is really important.”
UNASA meets biweekly at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Multicultural Center on the second floor of the Memorial Union. This office has an accessible entrance and is located down the hall from the universal changing table.
UNASA wanted to stress the importance of community, as they are welcome to any new members at this time, regardless of race, gender or social status.
“These are my people,” Tromblay said. “I feel welcomed here.”
For more information on UNASA, visit their website or Instagram page.
