U.'s Native Americans form groups

Native Americans on campus want the University to know there is more to being an American Indian than tepees and tomahawks. College junior DesireZ Martinez decided to establish Six Directions – the University's first organized cultural group for Native Americans – because "there were groups for all the other minorities on campus" and she had trouble finding another Native American on campus. Martinez, the organization's president, is a Garbieli-o Indian, which is a tribe originating in the Los Angeles County area. She said while there is only a handful of Native Americans on campus – it is difficult to obtain an exact number because some students mistakenly claim Native American citizenship on their applications – six have already joined the organization. And one of Six Directions' main goals is to recruit more Native American students to the University. "The main issue is to get more Native Americans on campus, not just because it would be nice, but because Penn does not go out of its way to recruit Native Americans," Martinez said. "In fact, Native Americans have to go looking for Penn." Martinez said the name "Six Directions" stems from Indian legend. "Most of the Native American tribes believe that the four cardinal directions of North, South, East and West are holy and sacred," she said. "For each of those directions a color is associated." The colors are white, black, yellow and red. In addition, blue represents water, sky and the universe, while green represents all things that grow on the Earth. "These six directions, the middle is where everything comes together – the center of the universe," Martinez said. The group meets every Thursday night at the Greenfield Intercultural Center on Chestnut Street. Its main event, Martinez said, will be a pow-wow during Homecoming weekend which will feature Native American dance, music, food and art. Phyllis Dennis, who works for the Greenfield Intercultural Center, said the center realizes the importance of a Native American voice and is facilitating the Six Directions in achieving its goals. "This is a time where the American people are becoming aware of the Native American contribution and the Native American basic philosophy," Dennis said. Six Directions Vice President Victoria Billy, a Navajo Indian, said she wants the University to be aware of a Native American presence. "When I came to Penn I was expecting to see at least a couple of Native Americans – and there were none," the College sophomore said. "We want to make people aware of us and what we're up to and that we're actually here." Martinez said the group is currently registered with the Office of Student Life, and hopes to be recognized by the Student Activities Council and the United Minorities Council by February.

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