“There is no visibility of us (Tohono O'odham),” said organizer Damascus Francisco. “This is our homeland and we should have a unity between us.”

Francisco, a senior double majoring in management of systems and business management, said he first thought of the club when he felt there was a non-functioning Native community on campus within the Native American Student Affairs group.

Francisco said he did not feel NASA represented the O’odham community as it should and that a club would be a great outreach to younger O'odham.

"Our club is not a move to segregate from NASA but more so build a support and unity through Tohono O’odham students,” said Francisco.

Amanda Tachine, interim director of NASA, said her organization tries its best to accommodate Native students and others. NASA provides support, leadership help, a mailbox and bulletin board, she said.

“I think the Tohono O'odham Club is a great idea and a great way to make students feel empowered,” Tachine said. “And if students feel left out, I want them to talk to me and make me aware of how they feel.”

Tohono O’odham roots at University of Arizona run deep The Tohono O’odham Tribe, formally known as the Papago, has 27,000 enrolled tribal members with a reservation measuring the same size as the state of Connecticut. The Tohono O'odham people are believed to be the descendants of the Hohokam and have resided in Arizona since the early 18th century.

Annemarie Stevens, a Tohono O'odham senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, said she did poorly her first semester at UA and felt she did not have any support to help her, let alone to turn to. By having that experience she said she could see why other students get frustrated and drop out.