Auction, golf tournament benefit NAU Native students

A buffet and silent auction are part of the seventh annual NAU Native American Programs fundraiser scheduled for Sept. 21 and 22.

The events, benefiting Native American students at Northern Arizona University, kick off with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the du Bois Conference Center Ballroom where the public is invited to a silent auction, a Native American arts and crafts sale and a free, buffet-style dinner.

"We're very lucky this year with contributions to the silent auction," said Kathleen Frank, administrative associate for the Institute for Native Americans. "We're offering golf outings for two, restaurant and hotel vouchers and gift certificates for weekend stays at golf resorts in Phoenix and southern California."

A golf tournament is scheduled for Sept. 22 at the Continental Country Club where 144 golfers will compete for various prizes.

The money raised during the annual fundraiser supports more than 20 students each academic year and is used for a variety of purposes, including class payments, career development and commuting expenses from reservations.

"All our sponsors have a genuine interest in Native Americans' success in higher education, and Native students at NAU can be assured they have tremendous support," said Laurence Gishey, director of the Institute for Native Americans.

Other uses of the fund have gone to help students gain internships or attend national conferences.

"This has been a highly successful fundraising project because of the sincere support we get from the business and corporate community along with many other tribes and our NAU alumni," Gishey said.

For information contact the Institute for Native Americans at (928) 523-9557.