MUNCIE, IN -- Curiosity drew Felicia Yates to Ball State University's Native American Student Association.

"I've always wanted to know more about my heritage," said Yates, a graduate student who is one-eighth Cheyenne and writing her thesis on Native American history.

Yates is not alone in her quest to discover more about the indigenous cultures of North America. Ball State University and other colleges nationwide are experiencing a small but growing interest in their Native American studies programs.

Over the past few years, the number of students who've picked up a Native American Studies (NAS) minor at Ball State has grown from less than a handful to 12 students, said Colleen Boyd, a Ball State anthropology professor. Boyd oversees the NAS minor, an inter-departmental program offered by the anthropology, English and history departments. Courses range from the study of North American Indians to American Indian literature.

"We have a plan to revitalize the minor, bring it into the 21st century," Boyd said. "And classes are filling up."

Student groups resurrected

In addition to the NAS minor, more electives with a focus on Native American culture soon will be added to Ball State's course catalogue. A new faculty advisory board, which includes faculty of Native American descent, has been formed to help identify potential courses, Boyd said.

Ball State's chapter of the Native American Student Association (NASA), a student group that, until recently, was dormant, also has seen renewed interest from students, said John Boyd, an English professor who is Colleen's husband and faculty adviser of the group. Similarly, Indiana University's NASA chapter was resurrected in 2006, officials there have said.

Members of Ball State's NASA group include both students like Yates who are descendants of Native Americans and those who simply want to know more about a culture thousands of years old. The group's vice president, freshman Maria White, falls into the latter category.

"I'm not native, but I've always had an interest in the culture," she said.

Ball State senior July Lam, a member of Ball State's NASA chapter, credits the Boyds for the renewed interest in Native American studies at Ball State.

"They've been very influential," said Lam, who is exploring possible Native American ties in her family heritage.

Community interest sought

Lam said she believes the movement to learn more about Native Americans is driven by the limited knowledge currently available about the culture.

"So much of what is out there is watered down or falls back on stereotypes," she explained. "The idea of 'Native American' always gets treated like it's a part of history. But it exists today. There are a lot of tribes still very active."

Colleen Boyd agrees, speaking passionately about current issues facing Native Americans, from casino development to controversy surrounding the use of Native American imagery in sports.

Boyd said she and her husband, who is a descendant of Native Americans on both sides of his family, want to extend renewed interest in Native American studies to the Muncie community as well.

"We know there are native families out there, and we want to be a [cultural] resource and outlet for them," Colleen said.

One way of doing so is by bringing in more acts like Native American folk singer Michael Jacobs, an award-winning artist who performed at Ball State Thursday night. More than 100 people attended the free event, Colleen said.

Colleen said Jacobs' performance is the first of what she hopes are many activities that will expand community interest in learning more about Native American culture.

"I think, where we're at right now, is just the beginning of a vital and healthy Native American studies program here at Ball State," she said.