Tribe to host convocation for Indigenous students from Maricopa Community Colleges

Indigenous students graduating from a Maricopa County Community College will have a special convocation this year, just not one hosted by the district. 

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier announced Wednesday that the tribal council will host a Native American Convocation for all Indigenous students graduating from a Maricopa County Community College this spring.

The tribe is hosting the event in response to how the district canceled all convocations for specific student groups due to President Donald Trump’s threat to defund colleges and universities that engage in DEI efforts. 

Harvier said the district’s actions came quickly and without consultation with local tribes or other minority organizations. 

The cancellation of the convocation concerned the tribe because Scottsdale Community College is located within the boundaries of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and many tribal members have received their education from SCC. 

“We knew we had to do something to address this issue,” Harvier said. 

The tribe met with the MCCD Governing Board, Harvier said, and the tribal council agreed to host the convocation for all 2025 Native American MCCD graduates in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

“Why? Because honoring all Native American students for their accomplishments is the right thing to do,” Harvier said.

The tribal council will cover all costs for the event that is being planned for early May. Details on the exact date and how students can participate were not shared.

Mona Scott Figueroa, a faculty member at Mesa Community College, said she is “elated” that the native American convocation will continue this year, even without it being hosted by the district. 

“I love that Salt River made this generous offer,” Figueroa said. “They are coming through for all 10 colleges.”

When Figueroa heard of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community stepping up to host the convocation, she said it’s a move that is “consistent with who we are as Indigenous people.”

“We do what is right for the community,” she added. “What matters is the students and our community members.”

Figueroa said she was the name reader during the Native American convocations held at Mesa Community College, and she knows how beautiful the event is for the students and their families.

“For many, this is their first official graduation,” Figueroa said, adding that it’s an authentic experience for the students and their families because it is full of Indigenous representation. 

“I’m glad that it is going to happen,” she added. “It’s a beautiful event that I knew was going to happen in some form or fashion.”

With the convocation being hosted within the Salt River community, Figueroa said she hopes that Scottsdale Community College will take it as a sign to invest and support Indigenous students. 

“It does send a message,” she said, and she hopes that it will strengthen connections between tribes and MCCD.

***UPDATE: This story was updated with additional reporting and comments.