WVU Native American Studies Program

05/05/2026

It's prom season...

05/05/2026

Thanks to NAS student volunteers Mia and Mary Ella and everyone who stopped by our table today, on National MMIW/MMIP Awareness Day.

04/23/2026

NAS joined Saturday's Sexual Assault Awareness Month "Walking with Survivors" march to advocate for an end to sexual assault and violence--thanks to organizers with the RDVIC (R**e & Domestic Violence Information Center). The NAS Program's mission includes supporting the safety and wellbeing of Native people and increasing awareness of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons movement. We'll have an information table in the WVU Mountainlair Student Union from 11am-2pm on Tuesday, May 5th, National MMIW Day. Stop by to say hello to our NAS student volunteers and learn how you can be a strong ally. (Grateful for alum Sinead Hunt's terrific poster.) Check out the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to learn how you can receive help if needed, and advocate for others as well: https://www.niwrc.org/resources/special-collection/culturalcomp-humility-allies

04/23/2026

Happy to have so many bright young NAS students learning more about sovereignty, treaty rights, and tribal law and policy this semester, including during our visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the US Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. They'll no doubt go on to do great work in their chosen fields of law, social work, healthcare, and advocacy! Many thanks to my faculty colleague, Christopher Chaney for teaching this important NAS class with more than 20 students enrolled:https://nas.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff/christopher-chaney

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

It was an honor and a privilege to host WVU Native American Studies 2026 Elder-in-Residence Mike Williams, Sr. (Yup'ik, Akiak, Alaska), a Native Rights Leader and 15-time Iditarod musher. His free, public presentation "Land, Water, Subsistence: Native Alaskan Sovereignty and Stewardship" garnered an appreciative audience of ~130. He also met with numerous classes and student groups throughout the week. Wonderful that his wife, Maggie Williams, retired educator, could be with us as well! Mr. Williams's visit provided a rare opportunity for the WVU Community to learn firsthand about critical issues impacting Alaska Native communities. These special guests were also able to take in some West Virginia sites and activities throughout the week!

03/10/2026

Join us in welcoming 2026 Elder-in-Residence Mike Williams, Sr. (Yup'ik, Akiak, Alaska), Native Rights leader and 15-time Iditarod musher. Reception and presentation Tuesday, March 24, 7-8pm, Room 1021 Agricultural Sciences Bldg, Evansdale Campus. To attend via ZOOM, registration uisng the link posted below or on our webpage.:

Elder-in-Residence, Author-in-Residence

02/24/2026

Some encouraging news out of New Mexico re: acknowledgement of harm suffered by Native American women and other women of color who were sterilized without their informed consent. Jean Whitehorse (Navajo Nation), pictured here, was the 2024 WVU Native American Studies Elder -in-Residence, a courageous person who generously shared her personal experiences and perspectives with the WVU Community. https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/new-mexico-launches-investigation-of-forced-sterilization-of-native-american-women-california-vermont-washington-state-tribal-lands?fbclid=IwY2xjawQK1YxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEef1IyyYuGpy4acx7OLzlc_hWj8BWt48kzkQnEgec3eV305U-SpGyXKatU6XQ_aem_cwxB_eVOYgyWpBncilK8Qg

In the 1970s, the U.S. agency that provides health care to Native Americans sterilized thousands of women without their full and informed consent.

02/13/2026

SAVE THE DATE: Part 2 of the WVU Community Human Rights Film Series is March 4, COLLEGE BEHIND BARS. This year's focus is on the human and civil rights of people who experience incarceration, their access to education while in prison, and for some, life after exoneration from wrongful conviction.

12/12/2025

Very excited to welcome Native Rights Leader and 15-time Iditarod musher Mike Williams, Sr. (Yup'ik) to campus as our 2026 Elder-in-Residence. Join us for a welcome reception and presentation: "Land, Water, Subsistence: Native Alaska Sovereignty and Stewardship" Tuesday, March 24, 7-8pm, rm. 1021 South Agricultural Sciences Bldg. https://nas.wvu.edu/news-and-events/residency-program

🐾 🐾
Mike Williams, Sr. and his team mush along Finger Lake in the 1998 Iditarod with the beautiful alpenglow lit mountains in the background. Williams, Sr. of Akiak, Alaska finished in 23rd place that year, crossing under the burled arch in 11 days, 1 hour, 57 minutes and 35 seconds

📷 Jeff Schultz Photography | schultzphoto.com