When Kaytie Colbert started her first year at UA, she didn’t expect to take on a leadership role, much less to become the president of anything. She was focused on her nursing classes and just trying to settle into college life.
But everything changed with one phone call.
Kaytie was applying for a job at Moundville Archaeological Park when someone mentioned a group on campus called BISON — the Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network. BISON is one of more than 650 student organizations registered through Student Life’s office of Student Involvement, which provides training and resources through the Source. When Kaytie said she had not heard of the organization, she was quickly given the founder’s contact information.
“I reached out to them and told them about what this lady said at Moundville, and they welcomed me in. They were like ‘I’m so happy you found us!’”
Kaytie is a citizen of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama. She is also a descendant of the Poarch Creek and Chickasaw communities. However, when she was growing up, she did not see many other people who shared her background.
“To my knowledge, I was the only Native student throughout school, elementary to high school, and so when I went to UA, I was hoping that there would be a group, but I was thinking still, ‘I’m probably the only one. Why would there be a group for that?’”
The BISON founders invited Kaytie to a meeting. As she began to share her story, her eyes filled with tears. For the first time, she felt truly seen. After years of feeling isolated, she had finally found a community that understood her — people who knew what it was like to be Native in a place where that identity often goes unseen.
“It was my first time finding that Native community…it is kind of lonely and isolating being the only person like yourself and finding that group and finding other Native students your age…having that community is rewarding.”
BISON, which started in 2022, brings Native students at UA together to support one another, celebrate culture, and raise awareness on campus. The group holds regular meetings, cultural events, and educational workshops. Some students are Native themselves; others just want to learn and support the group. It is all about educating others on the rich history surrounding tribes.
“It’s a place for them to learn about the culture and to share their culture with other native students and non-native students, because there’s also a misconception that all Native Americans are the same and they’re not. Each tribe has vastly different practices and traditions,” she said.
It didn’t take long for Kaytie to get involved. In Spring 2023, she became president of the organization. As president, Kaytie leads meetings, helps plan events, works with campus partners, and has learned skills that will benefit her for years to come.
“In the long run, with being a nurse, you have to be able to delegate tasks and be able to organize and plan your day. I just really feel that being in this president position has helped with my leadership skills overall.”
Kaytie’s work with BISON isn’t just about campus life — it’s also personal. The group is working on a land acknowledgment for the University to recognize the Native land the school was built on. She hopes it will help strengthen the connection Native students feel to UA’s campus.
“My long-term goal for BISON is to strengthen the relationship between The University of Alabama and the in-state and surrounding tribes, so we have more Native students interested in coming to UA. We are reaching out to the tribes by inviting their drum and dance groups, vendors, special speakers, arts and craft educators, etc., to strengthen this relationship. We also hope, by reaching out and having BISON as a resource on campus, to make Native students and the tribes fell welcome at UA,” she said.
Kaytie will graduate in December with her nursing degree, but she’s not done yet. She plans to get a second degree in food and nutrition, then go on to become a registered dietitian and a nurse practitioner. She wants to work in underserved communities — and BISON has helped with this long-term goal, as Kaytie wants to work on a reservation one day.
As her time at UA winds down, Kaytie is focused on helping the next group of students take the lead. She wants BISON to continue growing, and she’s working hard to make sure it does while carrying on the legacy of those who came before her.
“[They] wanted to see it grow and for Native and non-native students to find community, and knowing what the mission was, carrying it through is my mission too, and just getting to see it grow and hope that after I graduate it’s still here.”