Tribal Nation Flag Event Raises Awareness of RSU’s Support of Indigenous Students

Rogers State University held an event to raise awareness of RSU's support of its Native American students and to highlight the number of tribal Nations represented at the university.

Hosted by RSU Student Affairs, the event took place Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center on RSU's Claremore campus. It featured numerous guest speakers, who discussed their respective journeys and how their Nation has supported them at RSU.

Speakers included Indian Women's Pocahontas Club administrator Debra West, who discussed the history of the Pocahontas Club, its connection to Will Rogers, and its partnerships with RSU, and RSU's Native American Student Association (NASA) RSU faculty advisor Rebekah Warren, who acknowledged the Tribal Council members present and discussed her involvement in and the activities of NASA.

Also speaking were RSU students Jaxen Smith and Cate Campbell, and graduate student and Miss Oklahoma Collegiate Seyton Thomas.

"Good afternoon, everyone, my name is Jaxen Smith, and I was a Remember the Removal rider for the past year (2024), which, I think is the thing I'm the proudest of," he began. "The bike ride allows Cherokee youth to retrace the Trail of Tears - the northern route - 950 miles through seven different states. Going on this ride allows you to connect with your heritage, your culture in a different, very personal way, rather than just reading it in a book or in an article.

"For me, one of the reasons I'm so connected to my culture is because of my grandmother," he said. "We would do a lot of things together - cook, hunt, pick wild onions, we'd do everything together. For a long time, I shied away from my heritage because it reminded me of her, and that made me sad, but one of the things I came across on the ride was Mantle Rock in Kentucky. When we came across it, it was freezing cold, and it reminded me that that's where my ancestors survived. It just hit me hard because every place we went, there were preserved trails and markers, and you could truly feel what our ancestors felt - the sadness and the sorrow and the hurt and the strength. While I was there, I just kept remembering my grandmother, encouraging me, telling me to advocate for myself.

"It was definitely the hardest thing I've ever endured, mentally and physically," he said, "and with RSU, I'm thankful for the opportunity, from the university, from NASA and Rebekah (Warren) to advocate for myself and for others, to allow me to speak to what truly happened to the Cherokee people and their forced removal."

Next to speak was Cate Campbell.

"Osiyo. My name is Cate and I'm in the Honors Program here at RSU," Campbell said. "Prior to coming to RSU, I had a not very expansive view of my ancestry. What I knew was JOM, preschool supplies and Indian Health Services, but my parents played a major role in giving me a deeper appreciation of my heritage.

"Our community is what binds us together, what makes us strong, it's how we've survived all these generations, regardless of what tribe you're from," she said. "That being said, when I came to RSU, I had the opportunity to meet the Pocahontas Club ladies, and I'm incredibly indebted to them for their wisdom and their leadership. Last fall, I started ribbon skirt classes, which connected me to that side of my heritage, allowing me to be creative, learn more about what the ribbon skirt meant to me and my heritage.

"Things like that connect us and strengthen us. Community is so critical to being indigenous," she said. "It brings us hope. We feel that hope from our ancestors. When they were going through the Trail of Tears, there was a hope - a hope in being together, together we survive, together we are strong, together, we can be resilient. It's that community that sets us apart. It's that community that makes us who we are."

The last student to speak was Seyton Thomas, who spoke about using her platform in the beauty pageant realm to encourage people to overcome the cycles of poverty and drug addiction.

"My name is Seyton Thomas, and I'm a member of the Cherokee Nation, as well as your Miss Oklahoma Collegiate 2025," Thomas said. "I'm also the first top graduate in my family, finishing at the top of my class at Oklahoma State University in 2023, where I received my bachelor's degree in psychology. Currently, I'm continuing my academic journey here at RSU, toward a Master of Science in community counseling, again, being the first in my family to do so."

Thomas then discussed how she uses her platform in the beauty pageant realm to educate and raise awareness on breaking the cycles of poverty and substance abuse, working with non-profit organizations and caring for others and the rising homeless population.

"What I've learned during this time is that what we give to others, how we serve them, is a direct reflection of how we view them."

Thomas then thanked the Cherokee Nation and Rogers State University for their support.

"Your contributions to diversity and support of indigenous students does not go unnoticed," she said. "Today, I'd like to leave you all with some encouragement. You are not defined by your current situation. The ability to overcome is in your genetics. Together, in community, we are strengthened, and when we care for the community, we become catalysts for change. When we spread compassion, we cultivate hope, and when we make the choice to be the first, we ensure the future of our culture."

The event concluded with all attendees converging at the DCTC's rotunda to review the collection of Tribal Nation flags - currently, 19, with more to be added - to acknowledge and honor the university's Native American presence.

Shortly thereafter, event attendees were invited to Chapman Dining Hall to enjoy a meal with a traditional Native American theme.

As of the fall 2024 semester, there are 941 students enrolled at Rogers State University that are citizens of one or more of 28 Tribal Nations, signifying 28.8 percent of the total number of students (3,258) currently enrolled.

For more information about the Native American Student Association, contact Rebekah Warren at 918-343-7587 or [email protected].