INDIGILIVIN

A Living Learning Community

Students at Indigenous Peoples Day

What is IndigiLivin?

The IndigiLivin LLC is a community for students who wish to participate in activities that will enhance their understanding of Native American and Indigenous life and culture.  

IndigiLivin is open to all students who wish to learn and support Native American/American Indians, Alaska and/or Canada First Nation(s), Native Pacific Islanders, AND other Indigenous peoples not listed here.    

IndigiLivin LLC will inspire Indigenous ways of living and knowing. The design of this program is to help students become grounded in place: understanding what it means to live and study here in Bellingham, Washington. This LLC will work to support cross-cultural sharing through fostering Inter-Tribal community. Most importantly, this LLC seeks to support indigenous students to become successful learners.  

students outside BT East
students at Indigenous People's Day
students at Indigenous People's Day

Location

IndigiLivin is located on the 4th floor of Buchanan Towers East for the 2026-27 academic year.

BT East is close to the House of Healing Coast Salish Longhouse and the Outback Farm. 

Benefits

  • Live with students of shared interests in Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and Native American communities.
  • Academic support  
  • Engage in community events and celebrations.   

How to Join

Students indicate interest in IndigiLivin via the housing application. Students are accepted into IndigiLivin on a first-come basis. 

If you mark interest on your application, you will be notified in your housing offer email if you are accepted into IndigiLivin or on the waitlist.

students at Indigenous People's Day
students at Indigenous People's Day

Goals for IndigiLivin

  1. Explore Indigenous cultures and communities.
     
  2. Create a stronger sense of community both within Western Washington University and across multiple indigenous nations.
     
  3. Prioritizing Indigenous student voice and education.
     
  4. Honoring the government-to-government relationship between Washington State tribes and the federal government, recognizing and respecting Indigenous governance structures.
     
  5. Incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems and Indigenous ways of knowing into educational content and teaching methods.
     
  6. Supporting Indigenous-centered holistic services and practices that are key to the educational success and well-being of Indigenous students.  

Resident Expectations

  • Meetings and events hosted by the Native American Student Union
  • Events and activities hosted by the Tribal Relations Office such as Native American Heritage Month events, and activities with culturally relevant practices. You can expect opportunities to engage in subsistence learning, arts, storytelling and optional spiritual activities including seasonal observances such as solstices, equinoxes and full moons.  
  • Lectures, guest speakers and facilitators from Indigenous scholars visiting Western throughout the academic year. 
  • Indigenous Peoples Day (Fall Quarter)
  • Treaty Day (Winter Quarter)  
  • Annual Powwow (Spring Quarter)
  • Be respectful and open to varied cultural practices within the diverse community.
  • Live in compliance with the community standards at WWU.

Recommended course for fall is Introduction to Indigenous Studies, Instructor: Mo Wells, Ethnic Studies Department  

IndigiLivin Support

  • Ammon Milligan, Assistant Director of Residence Life
  • Jacob Rodan, Supervising Resident Director
  • Ava Udelson, Assistant Resident Director
  • Ses yehomia-Laural Ballew, Tribal Liason, Tribal Relations Office
  • simone-calais staley, Assistant Director, Lhaq’temish-ew’xw ets’e Xwlemi’ - House of Healing, Tribal Relations Office

Disability Access

University Residences works in partnership with the Disability Access Center (DAC). Students requesting accommodation must complete both a Housing application and a DAC Needs Assessment. For details and timeline, visit Housing’s Disability Accommodation.   

Questions?

We welcome your questions about IndigiLivin LLC. Contact reslife@wwu.edu for more information.