By Mia McCauley, Student Affairs Intern
Last fall, UW–Madison’s Indigenous Student Center, (ISC), celebrated its 10th Native November. The events centered around the message, “Laughter is Medicine.” This theme was developed as UW–Madison’s Indigenous community worked to remain lighthearted despite the many challenges faced on campus.
The month was filled with events such as keynote speaker and Indigenous activist Dallas Goldtooth, community quillwork workshops, and beautiful celebrations. Heritage and History Months like this would not be possible without the leadership of students, staff, and faculty– especially those with exceptional dedication like staff member, Bobbi Skenandore.
Skenandore was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Before attending UW–Madison, she describes her journey connecting to the Indigenous community as “a little rocky.” Growing up, she was surrounded by her Mexican heritage, which initially caused her to feel insecure of her Indigenous identity. It was not until her involvement in Alpha Pi Omega, an Indigenous focused sorority on campus, that she felt her Indigenous identity was affirmed.
Initially, Skenandore dedicated herself to her sorority. She felt somewhat daunted by organizations such as Wunk Sheek, which were prominent among UW-Madison students interested in Indigenous identity, as they focused on learning about Indigenous issues, culture, and history. However, as her confidence grew during her years as a student, Skenandore gradually became more engaged and began exploring new avenues of involvement.
Now, as the ISC program coordinator and facility manager, it’s important to Skenandore that students feel welcome in the space, regardless of where they are in their identity journey. Upon her transition from student to staff, Skenandore continued to emphasize the importance of making sure students feel comfortable with themselves and within their community.
While this core value has stayed the same, Skenandore has also noticed some changes on our campus within the Indigenous community. The Indigenous Student Center, previously recognized as the American Indian Student and Cultural Center (AISCC), was established in 2009, under the management of the American Indian Studies Program. More recently, in 2021, the AISCC was transferred to Student Affairs, specifically the Multicultural Center, in order to expand and provide better opportunities for indigenous students, and Bobbi was hired. In her years as a student, Skenandore noticed fewer active Indigenous staff and leadership on our campus, with the majority of the Indigenous students’ concerns or requests being directed to one or two staff/faculty members.
Recently, however, Bobbi has become one of several UW–Madison faculty/staff members involved in the “AUNTIES, UNCLES, and COUSINS,” Collective. Now, in addition to her position as the first ISC program coordinator, she is also an A.U.N.T.I.E – “Advocate for Uplifting Native Traditions and Indigenous Engagement.” In fact, Skenandore and other faculty/staff members have even changed their working titles within their specific departments. This allows for staff to have a culturally relevant title for the specific work they do in order to support students as whole humans, creating a stronger network with more personalized resources and more direct support.
Skenandore wants students to feel welcome in the ISC space, and is committed to helping individuals feel comfortable in both their identity, and their community.
More about ISC and ISCC
Native November is recognized annually from Nov. 1–30, with members of the Indigenous Student Center Coalition (ISCC) leading programming efforts on campus. Bobbi established the ISCC to foster greater student engagement within the ISC and to facilitate collaboration among Indigenous student organizations sharing this vital space. Thank you to the seven student organizations that are represented on the ISCC, all housed in the Indigenous Student Center: Wunk Sheek, American Indian Science & Engineering Society, Alpha Pi Omega Sorority Inc. – Lambda Chapter, Twin Tails, Indigenous Law Student Association, Tribal Libraries, Archives, & Museums, and the Indigenous Graduate Students.