The Payne Family Native American Center building on a crisp autumn day on the University of Montana campus.

Payne Family Native American Center

Where Students Lead and Community Thrives

Student life at PFNAC is about connection, culture, and community. Whether you’re joining a Native student organization, helping plan the annual powwow, or just spending time with friends in the Rotunda, this is your space to grow, belong, and be heard.

Native Student Clubs

During grand entry, the Kyiyo powwow royalty lead the visiting royalty in grand entry

Kyiyo

The purpose of our organization is to bridge students and staff/faculty of the University of Montana with the communities of Missoula and surrounding areas. Through extra-curricular activities and community building, we will engage others in our cultural traditions in order to unify and promote the cultural identity of American Indians/Alaska Natives.

Indigenous Grad Student Association logo

IGSA

The goal of Indigenous Grad Student Association (IGSA) is to create community and support among Indigenous graduate students and their families, regardless of area of study. IGSA is inclusive of all indigenous identities and aims to meet the needs of all indigenous scholars in a variety of ways including hosting weekly group study/writing sessions, providing relevant academic or career opportunities, organizing social gatherings, and engagement with the larger UM and Missoula community in a way that aligns with our values

Native Law group pictures in rotunda of PFNAC

NALSA

The Native American Law Students Association was founded to promote the study of Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law and traditional forms of governance, and to support Native Americans in law school. We strive to reach out to Native communities and encourage Native People to pursue legal education. We also strive to educate the legal community about Native issues.

Past members of AIBL holding trophy's from a nations business idea competitions next to the advisor of the club

AIBL

American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL)

Encourages professional development and cultural empowerment for Indigenous students pursuing business and leadership roles.

Why Native Student Groups Matter

Student and Alumni Voices

“They matter because it allows people with the same interests to network and connect.”
— J. Tallman, Current Student

“It gives a sense of community and familiarity that you would usually find at home.”
— Jonaye D., Current Student

“They give a sense of community while being away from home and help create the next leaders coming out of the school.”
— Alumni, Class of '24

Together, these voices remind us that PFNAC is more than a building — it’s a community.

Native Griz out in the Wild
Native student Life

IGSA group taking a picture in the PFNAC Rotunda after an event
IGSA group taking a picture in the PFNAC Rotunda after an event
Master's student Ray King fisher teaching first year students how to put up a tipi
Master's student Ray King fisher teaching first year students how to put up a tipi
Former student tying regalia to head
Former student tying regalia to head
Students enjoying a game of stick game
Students enjoying a game of stick game
Students in the rotunda during native Griz preview days
Students in the rotunda during native Griz preview days
Former Student in regalia dancing
Former Student in regalia dancing
Tommy Running Rabbit picture
Tommy Running Rabbit picture
Former Kyiyo Exec and Student singing a round dance song on the oval.
Former Kyiyo Exec and Student singing a round dance song on the oval.
Two Students at welcome feast showing their best Grizzly bear stance
Two Students at welcome feast showing their best Grizzly bear stance

What's the Clubs up to

Through out the year the student groups love to host events to create community – So stop on by when there events. Down below is a calendar to events hosted and posted by our Native Student Groups.
View All Events On GrizHub