An Active Cultural Gathering Place: The Health and Wellness Center

FAIN: CHA-286600-23

Northwest Indian College Foundation (Bellingham, WA 98226-9278)
Jay Conway (Project Director: September 2021 to present)

Construction of a cultural gathering space on the campus of Northwest Indian College, a regional tribal college in Bellingham, Washington.

Northwest Indian College is constructing an active cultural gathering space to heal the Indigenous spirit of learning through wellness and life balance: the Health and Wellness Center. At 15,600 SF, the Center offers room for students and Tribal community members to come together in the development, performance and practice of accredited, Indigenous-based humanities education; community outreach; and wellness programs. The Center consists of an expansive informal multipurpose space that encourages diverse cultural demonstrations, Tribal gatherings (represented by over 120 tribes) and larger conferences, such as our Vine Deloria, Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium. The Center is also supported by a classroom and an outdoor covered activity area for teaching and mentoring between faculty, students and Tribal Elders. The Center provides a sense of home and is grounded in healing-informed programming that empowers our Native students to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

Associated Products

Health and Wellness Center, Northwest Indian College (Building)
Name: Health and Wellness Center, Northwest Indian College
Abstract: NEH funding and match support was utilized in the overall construction of the facility. For an 8-million-dollar project with a dozen funders, the NEH’s contribution was instrumental in completing the building’s shell in a safe and timely manner. The Cultural and Humanities programs being offered and planned are numerous. With the support of the NEH we are creating a cultural gathering space that heals the Indigenous spirit through wellness and life balance. Some of the Cultural and Arts activities include but is not limited to, pow wows and coastal jams student stick games, films, plays, cultural camps, cultural dancing drumming and singing. It is a place for children to visit and watch students and community members perform. The building opened at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and was used for graduation. The first time NWIC was able to hold its graduation on campus. The building was packed with graduates, families and community members. It was an overwhelming success and appreciated by all. The building also is being used for fitness activities: Cultural sports, ball games, yoga, indoor track and intramurals. Job training, career fairs and various human services that promote healthy living utilize the Wellness Resource Classroom.
Director: David 'Coach' Ripoyla
Director: Victoria Retasket
Year: 2024
Address: 2522 Kwina Road, Bellingham WA 98226
Primary URL: http://www.nwic.edu
Primary URL Description: Website for Northwest Indian College

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