Media
Reflections on the First America Conference, March 26-28, 2026
"Christopher Newell (Passamaquoddy) presented his new children’s book to New Haven Public School students, following an introduction by YGSNA member Diana Onco-Ingyadet "
Onco-Ingyadet was a member of the conference planning committee and served as volunteer coordinator.
I was contacted by a reporter for the Yale Daily News (YDN) in May 2025 regarding the new NAIS certificate, below is a summary of my response:
"I cannot tell you how excited I am for this certificate approval that recently passed. I received my undergraduate degree in Applied Indigenous Studies and believe so deeply in the value and impact this discipline can have for students in higher education. To quote the film Smoke Signals, 'It’s a good day to be Indigenous.'”
Note: Only a portion of my response was included in the final article.
The article was written beautifully and really highlighted the amazing students & faculty that fought for Yale to get to this point. I feel unbelievably honored to be a part of the Indigenous community at Yale and that one of my courses was included in the original NAIS certificate proposal.
“Onco-Ingyadet: I’m originally from Oklahoma, and I went to college and worked in Arizona and New Mexico. It never occurred to me to move to the East Coast. When I first relocated here, the transition was tough. However, through this group, I’ve found a community that makes me feel like I’m building some longevity here. For me, it’s about building a community and finding a sense of belonging for myself and others. ILY has allowed me to bring my true, authentic self to work every day."
Native American Heritage Month
2020
Navajo Nation
Washington DC Office
In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, the Navajo Nation Washington Office hosts a dynamic panel discussion that features Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish with a panel of Native American trail blazers: Anna Tsouhlarakis-- Artist, scholar and professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder; Manny Wheeler-- Director of the Navajo Nation Museum and the genius behind re-issuing Hollywood blockbusters in the Navajo language; and Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet-- Social influencer and Assistant Director of the Native American Cultural Center at Yale University.
YGSNA & NACC Members Reflect on “Oklahoma Sovereignty Tour”
"Many of the student participants were students in Yale College courses, including ‘Writing Tribal Histories’ and ‘Native Print Practices,’ taught by Professor Ned Blackhawk and Professor Alanna Hickey, respectively, and each helped organized aspects of the tour as did Diana Onco-Ingyadet, Assistant Director of the N.A.C.C."
Alumni of Color Conference
2020 Keynotes
Harvard Graduate School of Education
"A New Vision for Higher Education in Indigenous Communities"
Friday, February 28, 2020
Panel of Indigenous Scholars
Moderated by Heather Watts
Video Recording of Panel
If you have some time and would like to hear from other Indigenous scholars working and thriving in higher education, please watch the linked video.
“I was fortunate enough to have a place like the Native American Cultural Center at each of my institutions as an undergraduate and graduate student,” Onco-Ingyadet wrote in an email to the News. “So I personally understand the influence that a place like the NACC at Yale can have on students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. I was really excited to learn about the ways in which a university like Yale was approaching Indigenous students in higher education.”