California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC)

Mission

The CICSC fosters collaborative research and community service relationships between the faculty, staff, and students of CSU San Marcos and members of Tribal communities, for the purpose of developing and conducting research projects that support the maintenance of sovereignty and culture within those communities. 

Core Values

Responsibility

To support political and economic development, education, health and wellness, media and film, language preservation, and natural resource management. 

Reciprocity

To reinforce collaborative research fostering indigenous research methods

Respect

To champion sovereignty and cultural preservation

Relationships

To create and sustain communication between tribes and scholars 

About Us

Welcome to the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center! 

Founded in May 2009, and our physical space was formally inaugurated on November 17, 2011, the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center represents an innovative institution within the state of California. Its central mission revolves around addressing the unique needs of American Indian students by engaging in original research and preserving the rich cultural heritage and languages of tribal communities.

At its core, the CICSC cultivates a strong sense of community and inclusivity among the Native population, both within and beyond the confines of the campus.

Furthermore, the center is unwavering in its dedication to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed not only to make meaningful contributions to Tribal communities upon graduation but also to enhance their own social mobility and personal advancement.

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