NOIS Mission
The Native Organization of Indigenous Scholars (NOIS) was created to bring together University of Washington graduate and professional students of Indigenous descent. Our goal is to increase awareness of our ongoing research, work, and achievement through building a supportive community in which to socialize, network, share knowledge, and disseminate information.

NOIS History
NOIS has its roots in its predecessor, NASAA - Native American Students in Advanced Academia. NASAA provided a forum for Native American graduate and professional students to engage with like-minded Natives in academia and build community. The name change from NASAA to NOIS was to be inclusive of all Native and Indigenous scholars within the UW, particularly the Indigenous scholars from Oceania. The 11th Annual Spring Symposium commemorates this name change and inclusivity with the theme: "The Waters that Connect Us."