CORE VALUES & APPROACH
Our program centers Reciprocity, Respect, Responsibility, and Relevance to Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives and experiences. In addition to building awareness of the histories, present and futures of Native nations and Indigenous Peoples, and connecting people to place, our programs support students of all backgrounds and experiences in being good relatives and co-conspirators in reindigenizing efforts.
Our many courses focused on aspects of Indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge (ITECK) inspire re-enchantment with nature; build awareness of Indigenous epistemologies, research methods, and ways of relating to the world; support learners to treat Land on which we may be guests like home; and encourage them to connect with their own indigeneity. We do not teach anyone (including Native students) how to be Native or how to appropriate or “use Indigenous knowledges” for any purpose. Rather, we offer pathways to develop right relations to Land and each other while supporting Indigenous sovereignty and radical resurgence.
WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?
“This program changed my life”, and “I wish I’d found Indigenous Nations Studies sooner” are phrases we hear frequently from students who find their worldviews, career trajectories, and lives shifting within our classrooms full of rich community support.
Our programs attract students from a broad diversity of cultural backgrounds and experiences, including first-time and returning students as well as working professionals. Beyond serving our own majors/minors and certificate students, our courses are popular with students majoring in anthropology, architecture, biology, environmental science/studies and other STEM fields, criminology and criminal justice, gender studies, psychology, social work, urban studies and more.
Many students also take our courses to fulfill domestic Race and Ethnic Studies (RESR) general education requirements, or apply them toward the Indigenous Health bachelor’s degree; the undergraduate 2SLGBTQ Health Certificate; or the Gender, Race & Nations Graduate Certificate.
For Native/Indigenous students, our programs and classes provide a haven to strengthen, practice and share your culture, and to bring your whole self into your academic journey.
WHAT PRACTICAL SKILLS WILL I LEARN?
Beyond changing students’ worldviews, our program intentionally supports career imagination as well as gaining in-demand skills such as data literacy, intercultural communication, critical and transdisciplinary thinking, complex problem-solving, research, writing and multimedia presentation. Many ITECK courses also allow students to develop practical skills related to land observation and care/restoration, personal and community food sovereignty, and plant medicines.
Students enter our program with a desire to make positive change with their degrees, and for many, a desire to grow their cultural strengths. Students report gaining new and often “lifechanging” perspectives on their fields of interest (e.g., sustainability, conservation, health, education) that our graduates integrate into their lives and careers.