About Us

Established in 1993, the Native American Cultural Center (NACC), in cooperation with the Association of Native Americans at Yale, promotes Native American culture and explores the issues that Native Americans face in today's world. The Center works to expose the Native community, as well as the greater Yale community, to Native American culture by bringing programming to campus that includes events such as speakers, dinners, study breaks, and movie nights.

Ted Van Alst is the new assistant dean of Yale College and director of the Native American Cultural Center. Having arrived in the Yale College Dean’s Office from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where he held a joint appointment as assistant professor in the departments of English and Modern & Classical Languages, Ted brings to Yale and the NACC a wealth of experience in undergraduate student affairs and academic affairs that will provide invaluable guidance to our undergraduates. A frequent lecturer in contemporary Native literature and film, Ted is known as a wise and caring adviser to students on matters academic, cultural, and personal. At the NACC, he works with a team of student staffers to manage the Center's activities. The Center also has an Advisory Board consisting of Yale faculty members, administrators, and alumni who advise and provide support for the Center and its goals.

The Native American Cultural Center also serves as a gathering place for Yale's Native American students. Students are encouraged to come to the NACC to study, to use the computer room, kitchen, or the Native Lounge.