alcatraz island

Maybe the events of last week — Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, UC Berkeley’s abysmal equity index score and the disappearance of Washington Post columnist and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, for a start — have made you feel a sense of deep dissatisfaction in governments, both local and global.

Reminders of the occupation were embedded into the infrastructure of the island. They were written across the water tower, above the “United States Penitentiary” sign on the docks. “WELCOME INDIANS,” read one in a weathered, but still legible, red paint. “INDIAN LAND,” read another.

The six residence halls that make up Unit 1 are a familiar sight, but what students seem less familiar with is the Native American Theme Program, or NATP, that calls Unit 1 Slottman its home.