Shauna Larson, '09, doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a Native American—and that's just the point.

Larson's heritage includes five Native American tribes. Her passion for her Native American roots has led her to relaunch Ball State's Native American Student Association, an effort that recently earned her the Distinguished Service Award from the University's Multicultural Center.

The award recognizes students who have displayed exceptional commitment to community service as a volunteer during college.

"I hope by educating the community and learning from each other that we can raise awareness and combat stereotypes," says Larson, a double major in women's studies and sociology.
 
By the end of Larson's sophomore year, the original chapter had all but disbanded on campus. With encouragement from her faculty advisors, Colleen Boyd, director of the Native American studies minor program, and John Boyd, assistant professor of English, she began the process to re-create the student group.

"The first meeting under my leadership, I was the only one there," Larson said.

Soon enough, she became more vocal in her attempts to drum up support. She sent mass e-mails, hung countless fliers and had professors mention the student group in their classes. "I constantly shared the idea with people until they started showing up," she said.

Aside from paperwork, Larson says, a common problem she faced promoting the group is a lack of awareness that Native Americans still exist.

"The most rewarding part of all this is increasing the understanding that Native Americans do still exist, and we have a rich history to share," Larson says.

Today, the association has a core of faithful members and is growing in support, thanks in large part to Larson's pride in her ancestry and dedication to growing the group.