Postdoctoral fellow Meixi began her work this spring at the Department of American Indian Studies. As she learns more about Minnesota through the people and the landscape, she is excited for the opportunities to work within the community. Her work focuses on connecting with communities and designing educational systems that incorporate Indigenous knowledge in subjects like math and science.

In Ojibwe culture, music, dance and medicine are sources of healing. Professor Brenda J. Child of American Studies and American Indian Studies writes an Op Ed for the New York Times.

In the 50 years since its founding, AIS has served thousands of students and supported hundreds of faculty and staff. At its 50th anniversary celebration, the department looked at its past, present, and future to honor those all those who built and sustained the department and those to come in the future.

Many Ojibwe people believe in the healing power of music and dance. American studies and American Indian studies professor Brenda Child reveals how an influenza epidemic in the 1920s gave rise to the jingle dress dance and traditions.

American Indian Studies is hiring a community engagement coordinator!

Faculty Position Opening: American Indian Studies

Juliana Hu Pegues received the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship for her research into the history of Asian immigrants and Alaska Natives. Her work seeks to understand the complex history of manifest destiny and inform the greater public about how settler colonialism shapes modern America.

“Minnesota” comes from the Dakota word “Mni Sota Makoce,” which translates to “the land of cloudy waters.” Canoe Rising encourages students and community members alike to pay homage to the land that sustains them by participating in canoe outings, lectures, and more.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly discusses President Trump's tweets referencing Native Americans with David Chang, chair of the Department of American Indian Studies.