Connecting Culture & Curriculum
UNC Pembroke's Southeast American Indian Studies (SAIS) program connects students, researchers and tribal communities through a dedicated space for American Indian studies programs and Indigenous research. SAIS programs at UNCP honor and affirm the cultural, political and social contributions of Indigenous communities across the Southeast.
SAIS at UNCP connects Indigenous heritage to academic and community support, offering one-of-a-kind American Indian studies programs and outreach opportunities. Our programs foster collaborations across the Southeast, advancing cultural preservation and Indigenous research at UNCP.
Expanding Indigenous Research and Learning
SAIS leads vital research initiatives rooted in Indigenous knowledge, including traditional health practices, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. These efforts not only strengthen SAIS academic programs, but also empower tribal communities by supporting self-sufficiency, sovereignty, and holistic well-being.
Engaging Tribal Communities and Beyond
The Southeast American Indian Studies Program at UNC Pembroke builds strong partnerships between the university and tribal communities. Through educational programs, public lectures and cultural events, SAIS celebrates and shares the rich heritage of Southeast American Indian peoples — fostering collaboration, understanding and pride.
Tools and Support for Tribal Communities
Access to specialized research collections and support networks helps students, faculty and tribal members engage more deeply with American Indian studies. At UNCP, these resources are central to advancing scholarship and honoring cultural traditions.
Director of Southeast American Indian Studies
Carrying Tradition Forward
SAIS at UNCP provide Indigenous students and scholars with unique opportunities to
connect with their heritage, support cultural preservation and pursue impactful research.
Our programs reflect UNCP’s commitment to supporting tribal communities.
American Indian Studies
UNCP offers a unique American Indian Studies degree focusing on indigenous communities’
history and culture. Gain insights into tribal governance, Native literature and archaeology
and benefit from experiences like community service with local tribes.American Indian Studies Program
UNCP gave me access to professors who cared about my success. I was given every opportunity
to make the most of my time as a student and learning American Indian Studies has
catapulted me into a future career in law to be a bridge between Indigenous communities
and the legal system.
American Indian Heritage Center
The American Indian Heritage Center serves as a central hub for all students interested
in Native American culture and history. From gathering spots to quiet study areas
and cultural programs that celebrate the heritage of Southeast American Indian communities,
you can use this space to find others with similar interests and build your tribal
community on campus.Curt & Catherine Locklear American Indian Heritage Center
The AIHC provided me with so many opportunities to connect with classmates, meet new
people and participate in activities that connected me to the campus and my culture.
Museum of the Southeast American Indian
A destination for history, education and community engagement, the Museum of the Southeast
American Indian preserves and celebrates the stories, artifacts and traditions of
Southeast American Indians. The museum provides a tangible connection to Indigenous heritage through exhibits
and programming that educate on Southeast American Indian culture and history.The Museum of the Southeast American Indian
UNCP is a place where culture and history thrive. It was founded by Native people
for Native people and that history was important to me. It was one of the major reasons
why I chose UNCP.
American Indian Studies
UNCP offers a unique American Indian Studies degree focusing on indigenous communities’
history and culture. Gain insights into tribal governance, Native literature and archaeology
and benefit from experiences like community service with local tribes.American Indian Studies Program
UNCP gave me access to professors who cared about my success. I was given every opportunity
to make the most of my time as a student and learning American Indian Studies has
catapulted me into a future career in law to be a bridge between Indigenous communities
and the legal system.
American Indian Heritage Center
The American Indian Heritage Center serves as a central hub for all students interested
in Native American culture and history. From gathering spots to quiet study areas
and cultural programs that celebrate the heritage of Southeast American Indian communities,
you can use this space to find others with similar interests and build your tribal
community on campus.Curt & Catherine Locklear American Indian Heritage Center
The AIHC provided me with so many opportunities to connect with classmates, meet new
people and participate in activities that connected me to the campus and my culture.
Museum of the Southeast American Indian
A destination for history, education and community engagement, the Museum of the Southeast
American Indian preserves and celebrates the stories, artifacts and traditions of
Southeast American Indians. The museum provides a tangible connection to Indigenous heritage through exhibits
and programming that educate on Southeast American Indian culture and history.The Museum of the Southeast American Indian
UNCP is a place where culture and history thrive. It was founded by Native people
for Native people and that history was important to me. It was one of the major reasons
why I chose UNCP.
Meet our Leadership
Lawrence Locklear
910.522.5790
Fifty years after audiences first gathered beneath the summer sky to watch Henry Berry Lowrie's story unfold, Strike at the Wind! returns this summer for a landmark anniversary season that celebrates the enduring legacy of the Lumbee people, the tribe's recent federal recognition and UNC Pembroke's decades-long role in preserving one of North Carolina's most significant works of Indigenous theater.
Wendy Locklear, a rising senior pursuing an American Indian Studies degree at UNC Pembroke, was one of only 100 Indigenous college students nationwide selected to participate in Adobe's AISES CLOUDS program, an initiative designed to cultivate leadership opportunities and strengthen digital skills among Native students.
UNC Pembroke invites the public to celebrate the 57th annual Lumbee Homecoming, June 26-July 4, in Pembroke, NC.