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The Zowie Banteah Cultural Center, commonly known as the “Zowie,” promotes visibility and empowerment for Native American and indigenous communities by providing space for dialogue, interaction and community. Seen as a home away from home for many students, the Zowie welcomes all while centering the voices and lived experiences of Native American and Indigenous peoples. The Zowie is located in the space between the Ham and MacGregor residence halls.

The history of the Zowie Banteah Cultural Center

The Zowie Banteah Cultural Center, commonly known as “the Zowie”,in Ham Hall, opened in 1995 under the name Native Spirit. The center was later renamed in 1997 to honor an alum who was instrumental in its founding. The Zowie promotes visibility and empowerment for Native American and communities of Indigenous people by providing space for dialogue, interaction, and community for Mount Holyoke and the Five College community.

About Zowie Banteah

Zowie Banteah ’96 is Shiwi (Zuni). She is from, and resides on, her homelands in the area of the US called New Mexico. At Mount Holyoke, she majored in psychology and education and minored in Native American studies.

While at Mount Holyoke, she served as chair of Native Spirit, an outreach representative for ALANA (African American, Latina, Asian American and Native American), a WMHC DJ and a Mount Holyoke News Voices! columnist. She’s received several awards and scholarships, including a Mount Holyoke Leadership and Service Award, a Ford Mellon Summer Research Scholarship in ’95, a Catching the Dream scholarship and an American Indian Science and Engineering Society scholarship.