The White Eagle Memorial Cultural Center was founded in 1989 and named after Dr. Josephine White Eagle, a member of the Ho-chunk Nation and a valued faculty member of the School of Education here at UMASS Amherst. Her commitment to Native Heritage, Language Preservation and Community Development is still an ongoing inspiration to the center's goals and achievements. Before her passing in July 1989
, Dr. White Eagle worked closely with the American Indian Student Association (AISA) as a mentor while continuing her linguistical research and program development for early education to preserve her Ho- chunk Language for future generations. Her Research is known as the White Eagle Lexicon and is currently being used by both the Ho-chunks of Wisconsin and the Ho-chunks of Nebraska. In addition, Dr. White Eagle continued to make her beautiful baskets, a skill she was widely known for. Originally the center was housed in a limited space in the Basement of Knowlton Residence Hall and relocated to its present location in Chadbourne House in 1991. In 1992 Native students advocated for expansion of the center to include a computer lab/ study hall, a library and an office space for a full time Program Coordinator. In fall of 1993 the center re-opened with its new features and a full time Coordinator. The center is a cultural and social support system for Native students, faculty, staff at UMASS, Native students at Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College and off campus non-student center members. It is also a cultural diversity awareness resource for the UMASS campus and the Pioneer Valley area. We assist with the organizing of the annual powwow, provide work study and non work study positions for students, contract Native Speakers, Artists, Musicians, Authors, Poets, and Craft Artists for on campus and in-house programs; assist Native students with life Skills Issues, advocate for Native Student's Educational and Human and legal rights, and act as a liaison to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, the CCEMBS Advising Center, Native communities of the northeast outreach efforts and the UMASS administration offices.
