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In 2021, the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC) celebrates its 50th anniversary. Created in 1971 by Chicano and American Indian students, LNACC has a long and important history at the University of Iowa. This exhibition shares that history in depth, and explores its establishment in the 1970s, its activism and programs, and much more. LNACC continues to be an active advocate, supporter, and resource for Latino and Native American students at the University of Iowa.

“The Center over the years has provided shelter, friends, music, theater, dance, poetry, books, and many, many discussions which were useful to balance the one-sided education most Chicanos and Native Americans received elsewhere.” -Antonio Zavala, co-founder of LNACC.

From the Curators

The Latino Native American Cultural Center is a living being that carries ancestral knowledge and history through the liveliness in our students’ celebrations, passions, and the overall vibrancy of the center. Celebrating our daily existence and our ancestors is a value that we honor when being of service to the students, community, and future generations. -Rachel Garza Carreón and Christopher Ortega

Exhibit Guide: Notes from the Curators (PDF)

 

Visit the virtual Building Our Own Community Exhibit.

 

Two chairs face a mural and the open gallery. Six cases of objects are visible in the photo.

From the Building Our Own Community: 50 Years of the Latino Native American Cultural Center, Founded by Chicano and American Indian Students in 1971 exhibition.

Curator Highlights from the Exhibition

A typewritten poem by Arturo Ramirez. The words are in Spanish. The image itself has the words of the poem included in alt text format.

“Carta de Iowa”

This poem is a brutally honest wish to be whisked away to a place that feels like home. The LNACC was born, in part, from feelings like these.
A gallery view of a row of dark blue text and photo panels. The photos show students participating in protests on campus and online, and offers a text description of the campaign.

#DoesUIowaLoveMe

In February 2019, as a response to a banner on campus that espoused support for President Trump’s border wall, a small group of students, faculty, and staff met at the LNACC to create a platform that allowed students to speak their truth and share their experiences.
A small kitchen scene in the exhibit that includes a 2D kitchen background and an exhibit case filled with photos of LNACC students eating and cooking. Faux tamales, peppers, and cookies are included.

El corazón de la casa

The kitchen is the heart of the LNACC. The warmth of everyone gathered together around the table creates a sense of home that reminds everyone that this is a place where they are welcome, where they belong.
Mural reproduction with a collage overlay of hundreds of photos of LNACC students and happenings over the years.

The Mural

In the exhibition, an original mural by Manuel Unzueta is honored. It is recreated with a collage of photos from the LNACC over the years.
A gold background with black text and the profile of a person surrounded by thought bubbles. The text from the bubbles is noted separately from the image.

The Wall of Worries

Imagine being an incoming student and not only having to worry about your studies, but also feeling like an other on campus. You start to continually question yourself, and worries like these become the background music of your university experience.
An aluminum foil-wrapped plate sits in a gallery case, reminiscent of a to-go plate from a family gathering.

To-Go Plate

A plate of leftover food from a party to enjoy later. A common sight in the hands of those that are saying goodbye at the tail end of a party, before they inevitably get roped into another conversation and stay a little longer.

LibGuides

Visit the Main Library Gallery’s Building Our Own Community LibGuide to view a collection of articles, resources, and more related to the exhibition.

Check out the LNACC LibGuide by Rachel Garza Carreón to read more about the history of the Latino Native American Cultural Center, to find information about Latinx and Native American campus groups and organizations, to discover resources for research, and to read articles about minorities in higher education.

Exhibition Curation
Rachel Garza Carreón and Christopher Ortega

Preparation & Installation
Bill Voss, Giselle Simón

Design
Rachel Garza Carreón, Christopher Ortega, Kalmia Strong

Exhibition Coordination
Sara J. Pinkham

Exhibition Technology
Chris Clark, Will Brown

Publicity & Website
Sara J. Pinkham, Ken Clinkenbeard, Jennifer Masada

Virtual Exhibit Assembly
Sara J. Pinkham

Financial Support
Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries

Special thanks to Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, Ruth Pushetonequa, Antonio Zavala, Thomas Arce, Isabela Flores, Sandra Solis, Tracy Peterson, Rosa Higareda Heredia, Adriana Peterson, Karla Alvarez-Ledesma, Gabriela Rivera, Jesse Garza Carreón, everyone involved with the #DoesUIowaLoveMe campaign, the Latino Native American Cultural Center, the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA), the Native American Student Association (NASA), and to every Latinx and Native American who shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations.