Indigenous Alumni Affinity Network (IAA)

The Indigenous Alumni Affinity Network (IAA) is dedicated to strengthening community and fostering the feeling of true belonging for Native/Indigenous students, alumni, faculty, staff, and DU community members within the DU and the greater Rocky Mountain area. By honoring cultural communal customs, IAA takes pride in cultivating intergenerational bonds for Native/Indigenous folx. Membership is open to Indigenous-identifying students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of DU.

The University of Denver and the greater city of Denver acknowledge that they reside within the traditional territories of Hinonoeino (Arapaho), Tsitsista (Cheyenne), and Nunt'zi (Ute).

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IAA's Volunteer Leader

Taylor Bennett-Begaye (she/her)

Taylor Bennett-Begaye (she/her) is Diné from the New Mexico side of the Navajo Nation. She currently resides on the original homelands of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho (Denver). She holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and sociocultural anthropology from Fort Lewis College, and recently obtained her master’s degree in media and public communications from the University of Denver. Utilizing her combined degrees, she enjoys working for Protect the Sacred to empower Native youth as the future leaders, while also engaging with organizations across Indian Country.

Join the IAA community by signing up for our listserv here!
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Staff Leader

Meet Zakiya Markland

Assistant Director of Volunteer Networks

Greetings! I joined DU’s Regional Advancement & Volunteer Engagement team as the Assistant Director of Volunteer Networks in December of 2023. I am here to support and facilitate the vital engagement of DU’s identity-based Alumni of ACTION networks by collaborating with network leaders to bring to their communities authentic, impactful, and seamlessly coordinated programming in alignment with the university’s DEI action plan. Too, I am here to equip DU’s full community of volunteers (alumni, parents, and friends) with tools and resources that prepare them to thrive in their volunteer assignments, further generating a wholistic and sustainable model of volunteer-led network growth for DU.

I bring with me over a decade of event production experience spanning the theatre, hospitality, and nonprofit industries, and a highly collaborative and embodied approach to community engagement synthesized from Restorative Justice practices and seven years of acting training. 

With deep respect and gratitude for all beings, and a commitment to a future that is bright even for our most vulnerable civilians, I look forward to being of service to you. Feel free to contact me here!

Connect with Zakiya

IAA's Annual Events

Indigenous Blanket Wrapping Ceremony (June)

The Indigenous Alumni Affinity Network (IAA) collaborates with DU’s Native Community Initiatives to host a ceremony honoring all graduating Native/Indigenous students and their families during Spring Commencement. Graduates are presented with a traditional, Native-made wool blanket as they are welcomed into the IAA community.

 

In addition to the Indigenous Blanket Wrapping Ceremony, the Alumni of ACTION (AoA) cohort hosts several events each year. Please check out our other AoA pages for more events (i.e. APIDA, Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ Pride alumni events).

 

View all events here
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Connect With Us

VOLUNTEER

If you want to share your time and talent as a volunteer Network Leader for any of our current identity-based affinity networks, check out VolunteerDU. This platform provides you with a menu of volunteer opportunities, and an open door to engage with the Alumni of ACTION and the greater DU community. 

CONNECT WITH ALUMNI OF ACTION NETWORK LEADERS:

Looking to get involved or learn more? Email your network leader today!

 

 

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