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Housing & Residential Life

Akwe:kon

Exterior of Akwe:kon

 

Akwe:kon is a distinctive Program House community that brings together students who are interested in Indigenous cultures, histories, contemporary issues, and the importance of community. As a Program House, Akwe:kon is an excellent fit for students who value cultural exploration, shared identity, advocacy, and belonging rooted in common purpose. Residents come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, but all share a commitment to learning, relationship-building, and fostering an inclusive community grounded in mutual respect and understanding.

Opened in 1991, Akwe:kon was among the first university residence halls in the nation established to celebrate American Indian culture and heritage. Its name comes from the Mohawk word meaning "all of us," reflecting the community's founding vision of inclusiveness and connection.  

More than a residence hall, Akwe:kon is a community centered on the values of extended family, shared learning, and collective support. Students gain a strong sense of belonging, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to contribute to a residential environment that celebrates Indigenous cultures while welcoming and educating the broader Cornell community. 

More About Akwe:kon

Unique among Cornell's residential communities, Akwe:kon is the only building specifically designed and constructed as a Program House. Developed through a collaboration between Campus Life and Cornell's American Indian Program, the residence was intentionally created to support Indigenous students while serving as a cultural and educational resource for the broader Cornell community. The building and surrounding landscape were designed with extensive input from Native communities and incorporate elements that reflect Indigenous values and traditions.

Living in Akwe:kon offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with Indigenous cultures and perspectives while building meaningful relationships in a close-knit residential setting. Through partnerships with Cornell's American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP), residents participate in cultural, educational, and community events throughout the year. These experiences help students develop cultural awareness, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of Native histories and contemporary issues. 

Community Features 

  • Open to first-year, transfer, and upper-level students
  • 35 residents
  • Located on North Campus, near Robert Purcell Community Center
  • Single and double rooms
  • Bedrooms contain, for each occupant: an extra-long twin bed, a closet and a bureau (or wardrobe/bureau combination), a desk and desk chair, a wastebasket, and floor carpeting
  • A community multipurpose room
  • A TV room
  • A library
  • Two study lounges
  • A kitchen complete with a microwave, dishwasher, oven, refrigerator, and cabinets for food storage
  • A computer room
  • Wireless Internet access 

Akwe:kon rooms do not have air conditioning. 

Housing Population Type

Faculty Involvement

Akwe:kon has several Faculty and Community Fellows that provide students with opportunities to explore and cultivate their academic, intellectual, and cultural interests. You will find them attending events in your building, dining with students, and leading on and off campus trips to lectures, plays, films, concerts, and regional points of interest.

Helpful Information and Important Links

Below are resources and guidelines to support your residential experience at Cornell University. Please review the tabs below and bookmark these pages to apply for housing, browse through meal plan options, find mail and package information, and explore the Akwe:kon community page in CampusGroups.

Akwe:kon Contact Information 

Akwe:kon, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

For more information about Akwe:kon, call (607) 255-0652 or email akwe:kon@cornell.edu. Learn more information about the American Indian Program by calling (607) 255-6587 or emailing aipoffice@cornell.edu.

Mail and Packages

Your mailing address:
Your Name, NETID
107 Robert Purcell
Room Number, Building
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

Visit the Service Center website for student mail and package information.

Dining Options

How to Apply for Residency 

Rising junior and rising senior students may select to live in a program house as part of the fall Housing Selection process while rising sophomores can select during their General Room Selection process in the spring. New students can indicate their preference to live in a program house on their New Student Housing Application.