Who We Are

RNASA is the Native American student association at Rice University. Our organization provides a support network for Native American/Alaskan Native students, promotes awareness of the cultures of America's indigenous people, and establishes a link between alumni and current students at Rice.

What's in it for you?

When you get to Rice, RNASA provides you with a link to fellow Native American students, faculty, staff, and alumni—it's a support system that helps to ease your transition from home to university life. Our group offers a welcoming atmosphere for discussion and camaraderie, as well as a fun social scene.

RNASA can even provide you with something tangible right now—you could win a T-shirt or another Rice University souvenir. And all you have to do is visit our website—which will tell you even more about us—and answer a few quick questions. You also can contact us through our website with any questions you might have.

What We Do

We have fun! Our group is small, but very active, and meets regularly in our office space in the Rice Memorial Center for lunch, conversation, brainstorming, and planning sessions.

Our members plan all kinds of social and cultural events here at Rice, such as the Native American Arts and Crafts Display, the dance and drum competition, the Native American film festival, and our biggest event, the annual Rice Powwow. The powwow, which features both northern and southern drums, is a popular event on campus and each spring attracts participants from states as far away as Florida. We also hold Native food dinners and make and sell fry bread and Indian tacos to raise funds for our activities. We work to recruit new Native students and connect with SIRA, the Society of Indigenous Rice Alumni.