Center for First Nations Education
Fostering Indigenous Ways
Find resources and programs that promote First Nations cultures.
The Center for First Nations Education is a space for all to gather, visit and offer encouragement to one another as Indigenous people have done since the beginning of time. For our First Nations students, there’s value in having a specific space dedicated to a sense of belonging, purpose and cultural education. Our mission also extends across campus, collaborating with departments to raise awareness and inspire Indigenous ways of knowing and being—both inside and outside the classroom.
Elder Teachings
Spend time and develop relationships with tribal elders and gain a deeper knowledge of Indigenous history and culture.
Resources
Access an Oneida language dictionary, Oneida lessons, interactive resources for teaching and a collection of 1,500 books and media.
Events
Because our main goals are connection and education, we offer events that help build community and provide Indigenous knowledge.
Visit Us!
Stop by to learn more about First Nations at UW-Green Bay.
Connect with First Nations students, staff, & faculty to strengthen our community and share and learn together. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea where we enjoy laughing and also hold space to work through challenges. Various activities and support services are available for current and potential students, community members and alumni, too. We invite you to reach out and call 920-465-2937 or email us.
Academic Programs
Because Indigenous worldviews reflect an interconnected way of being, our academic programs and the Center collaborate to uplift First Nations culture. We offer a bachelor's degree in First Nations Studies, as well as an educational doctorate, to develop knowledge about Indigenous culture and people.
First Nations Bachelor's Degree
Originally created by the Oneida community, First Nations Studies is a reconnection with and renewal of Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being.
First Nations Ed.D.
As the only degree of its kind in the U.S., the First Nations doctorate is centered in Indigenous teaching and learning methods to support you in reconnecting with original, ancestral knowledge and apply them to your work and the community.
New Space
Coming Soon...
We're moving to the new Cofrin Technology & Education Center.
The new building, which begins construction in 2025 with a scheduled completion of early 2027, reflects Indigenous worldviews not only through a circular design but through sustainable features. The center will take center stage, aligning with the broader goals of the University and serve the evolving needs of students and faculty across disciplines.
UWGB is on Indigenous Land
Colonialism is an ongoing process. Indigenous lands are still occupied, and our Land Acknowledgement is just one step toward respecting contemporary First Nations perspectives and celebrating our shared communities.
Fast Facts
We want to ensure Indigenous people can thrive at UW-Green Bay.
300+ Students
357 students of our Fall 2024 total identified as First Nations.
25+ Different Tribal Affiliations
Of the First Nations student at UW-Green Bay, 25+ different Tribal Nations are represented. The largest representation includes Oneida, Menominee and Ojibwe Nations.
Leading Employers
Tribes across Wisconsin are the leading employers in their counties. First Nations education cultivates important knowledge that's relevant for communities throughout the state.
Ceremonial Burn Exemption Form
Smudging and non-recreational use of ceremonial tobacco and other medicines are part of the traditions, celebrations, well-being and spiritual practice of many Indigenous peoples. If you are participating in these practices on campus, you'll need to submit an exemption form. Complete the online form and a meeting will be scheduled with Barb Miller, the Director of the Center for First Nations Education.
Meet a
Phoenix
"I love the people at FNS, I love the teachers, elders and students, all who help us learn. They are the reason I am here today! The professors have taught me so much about FNS and myself. I got to know them personally and each of them has a gift with teaching their students, it’s been amazing to be a small part of their teachings and guidance. The material is fascinating as well and I loved the knowledge I was able to gain from their teachings."
Jennifer Barnes '24
First Nations Studies Major | Menominee Tribal Family Service Child Welfare Investigator
Location & Hours
Green Bay Campus, 410 Wood Hall, 2380 Wood Hall Dr., Green Bay, WI 54311
Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Stay Up to Date
Get the latest in the goings on at our Center for First Nations Education.
Find Support
We’re dedicated to building strong connections between our students, campus and the wider community. Need support? Our team at the Center, including Academic Program Manager Barbara Miller, is here to help.