The Payne Family Native American Center
The Payne Family Native American Center, as the first facility in the nation built expressly to accommodate a Department of Native American Studies and American Indian Student Services. The University to continue its trajectory of excellence and responsiveness in Native American education. UM is a regional and national leader in nine different disciplines and areas’a testament to its commitment to provide a high quality, comprehensive set of offerings in Native American education. The building was given the last, prime piece of land on the campus oval—a focal point for the campus—underscoring its importance and the strong support of the UM administration. Fittingly, it is the site of an historic Salish Indian encampment, and the building is designed to reflect that legacy as well as the heritage and cultures of all Montana tribes.
As a symbol of goodwill and unity, the Native American Center will bring together Native Americana's and non–Native Americans and understanding between cultures. In the words of Native American alum Jon Swan (B.A. Business Administration ‘03),“ I see this as a place in which we can share how we can turn our trials and tribulations of the past into optimistic visions of the type of world we will leave our children and grandchildren.”
Photos by Todd Goodrich
Click here for pictures of the building's construction: The Payne Family Native American Center
Graphics, Design, and Layout by Letty Limbach, Spectral Fusion Designs. Copyright The University of Montana, 2007.