Native American Studies

Native American Studies emphasizes historical and contemporary socio-political experiences, perspectives and world views, predominantly in the United States with a special attentiveness to First Oregonians and the Klamath Basin region, but with a secondary focus on connecting U.S. based struggles of Native/First Nations/Indigenous peoples throughout the world. Students analyze federal Indian laws and policies as well as movements for sovereignty and self-determination; examine the historical formation and contemporary experiences of the nine tribes of Oregon; learn about key concepts including sovereignty (inherent, tribal, cultural, visual, and intellectual), self-determination, revitalization and humor; and engage in decolonizing, critical, and reflexive thinking and creative work while learning to speak and write clearly, concisely and meaningfully about Native peoples’ experiences. While the goals of a NAS program are multifaceted, the program’s goal is to pair student learning with university social justice initiatives that have the objective to build relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations.