Indigenous Outreach

Guided in partnership. Rooted in respect. Empowering students. As part of the UNM-Taos Strategic Initiatives Department, Indigenous Outreach is dedicated to building strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, particularly our close partners at Taos Pueblo. We’re here to support Native students as they navigate their educational journeys, offering guidance rooted in cultural understanding and honoring traditions, identity, and sovereignty.

By working together with community leaders, families, and educators, we’re creating meaningful, culturally informed pathways to college. We empower students to explore their potential, discover their unique paths, and envision a future full of possibilities. Whether it’s connecting students to academic opportunities, uplifting and celebrating diverse cultures, or serving as a trusted resource, our goal is to support students every step of the way.

This program originated through a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Taos Pueblo.

Taos Pueblo Commitment

• Share knowledge and cultural practices for educational and training purposes
• Provide guidance on cultural protocols and standards specific to the Taos Pueblo community
• Support the integration of Taos Pueblo learning standards into the UNM-Taos curriculum

UNM-Taos Commitment

• Incorporate Taos Pueblo learning standards through all levels of campus learning (staff, faculty, and students)
• Respect cultural protocols in academic settings
• Support all Indigenous students at UNM-Taos
• Support all Indigenous high school and other prospective students in identifying and pursuing their educational path to postsecondary education
• Strengthen cultural understanding across campus (visual representation)
• Collaborating on courses and community programming
• Providing culturally relevant student support and academic advising
• Ensuring that faculty and staff understand and respect the cultural traditions, history, and values of Tribal communities we serve

Joint Commitment

• Provide leadership and supervision for the Indigenous Outreach Coordinator
• Joint grant-seeking to support sustainability
• Ongoing collaboration through operational meetings between the UNM-Taos Outreach department and the Taos Pueblo Educational and Training Division staff
• Annual meetings with Tribal Government and UNM-Taos leadership

Indigenous Outreach Coordinator

The Indigenous Outreach Coordinator supports students in bridging institutions and communities, helping them walk in their educational and cultural worlds with strength and pride. A dedicated Indigenous Outreach Coordinator will:

• Connect students and families with higher education opportunities
• Advocate for Native student success and well-being
• Partner with Taos Pueblo leadership to identify academic and cultural supports
• Hold office hours at UNM-Taos and Taos Pueblo

Cultural Holidays and Accommodations

UNM-Taos recognizes and honors the cultural obligations of Native students, including participation in traditional, ceremonial, and community responsibilities. Faculty are required to provide flexibility for the following, including but not limited to:

• Tribal Feast Days
• Ceremonial times
• Cultural obligations

Taos Pueblo Feast Day and ceremonial days information is available online. Some cultural obligations that occur during the academic year include:

May 3
Santa Cruz Feast Day

June 13
San Antonio Feast Day

June 24
San Juan Feast Day

July 25
Santiago Feast Day

July 26
Santa Ana Feast Day

August (last two weeks)
Cultural Days

Sep. 29
San Geronimo Eve Vespers

Sep. 30
San Geronimo Day

Nov. 1
All Souls Day

Students need to notify their instructors in advance. The Indigenous Outreach Coordinator is available to assist with communication and support.

UNM Policy 2720: Equal Opportunity and Prohibited Discrimination and Related Misconduct (Interim), Section 6.1 requires reasonable accommodations.

“The University makes reasonable accommodations for religious observances, beliefs, and practices for students, employees, and prospective students and employees.”
“Failure to accommodate religious observances and practices can constitute discrimination on the basis of religion.”

For guidance on requests for—or responses to—religious accommodation requests, please contact the UNM-Taos Indigenous Coordinator, or the Office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity (CEEO) at 505.277.5251.