University of Arizona Held Native SOAR Ceremony
The Native SOAR program gathered students in Tucson for a traditional blessing and welcome event.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Native American
Live Poll
Do you feel your local educational institutions successfully foster an inclusive environment for all students?
The University of Arizona hosted a blessing and welcome ceremony for its Native SOAR program. The event aimed to build community for Indigenous students during the school semester.
Why it matters
The program connects university students with Indigenous high schoolers to provide guidance. This initiative creates a supportive network to help Native American students succeed academically.
There were 830 students who self-identified as American Indian or Alaska Native at the university in the fall of 2025. The program currently pairs university students with Indigenous high schoolers.
The players
Anthony Escalante
He is a sophomore student at the University of Arizona who performed the blessing and song.
Native SOAR
This program at the University of Arizona provides mentorship by pairing university students with Indigenous high schoolers.
The details
Sophomore Anthony Escalante performed a traditional sage blessing and the Creator's Song to mark the occasion. He utilized a gourd rattle to accompany his singing during the ceremony.
Timeline
Fall 2025 saw 830 students self-identify as American Indian or Alaska Native.
The welcome and blessing ceremony took place on October 8, 2026.
Culture Shift
The ceremony follows a pattern set by the University of Arizona American Indian/Alaska Native enrollment count, reflecting the university's focus on its indigenous student population. Such events illustrate the broader societal shift toward integrating cultural identity into higher education support systems.
Students and high schoolers in the Tucson area participating in the program can benefit from the mentorship and community building offered by the initiative. The ceremony serves as a practical touchpoint for participants to engage with their peers and cultural traditions.
The takeaway
Cultural ceremonies can provide students with a vital sense of belonging within a university environment. Integrating these practices into mentorship programs helps foster long-term student success and community resilience.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts at the Native American section.
Live Poll
Do you feel your local educational institutions successfully foster an inclusive environment for all students?
