Department of American Indian Studies - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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Department of American Indian Studies - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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Established in June of 1969, the Department of American Indian Studies is the oldest such program in the country with departmental status.

Founded amidst the civil rights struggles of the sixties and early seventies, the program has long been committed to the development of theories and methodologies that reflect American Indian perspectives and it embraces ways of knowing that stand in contrast to the linear analytic Euro-American studies typically found in colleges and universities. The department's base of formally educated and institutionally trained academicians is being supplemented increasingly by community resource people, including traditional leaders, elders and American Indian artists, writers, film makers, and musicians. Incorporation of such contributors into the teaching program acknowledges unique cultural wisdom and skills that are not typically available in formal, western institutions, but that are nonetheless essential to an understanding of American Indian cultures. The department's curriculum serves individuals throughout CLA and the University community, particularly by enabling students to meet requirements in the areas of cultural diversity and liberal education. A wide variety of courses is also provided through Continuing Education and Extension. For academic majors at the University of Minnesota, two "tracks" are available, one of which is based on mastery of one of the indigenous languages taught by the department—usually Dakota or Ojibwe. Majors also choose from a wide variety of courses, covering American Indian literature, art, philosophies, and socio-economic issues. Independent study options and special experiential learning opportunities are available to address students' particular career needs and interests.

15/04/2026

It’s time to register for classes! We have some amazing courses now open for registration in our department including our many Dakota and Ojibwe language courses! Register today!

13/03/2026

Who defines Indigenous identity?
Join us for an in-person conversation with Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes direct descendant) and Audra Simpson (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Nation). They will discuss Gilio-Whitaker’s work, “Who Gets to be Indian? Ethnic Fraud and Other Difficult Conversations about Native American Identity.” Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes direct descendant), author of “Who Gets to be Indian? With an introduction by Stuart McLean, chair of anthropology and professor of sociocultural anthropology, University of Minnesota.
This event is part of the larger Holding Our Ground symposium and explores the critical intersection of scholarship, law, and Tribal sovereignty.
Where: 412 Pillsbury Hall (310 Pillsbury Dr SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)
When: Wed, Mar 18, 2026 | 6 - 8 PM
Cost: $50, includes dinner

Learn more and register: z.umn.edu/who-gets-to-be-indian

26/02/2026

The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota invites you to a vital two-day symposium: Holding Our Ground: Voices and Strategies Against Self-Indigenization.
Together, we will explore the impacts of self-Indigenization on Tribal sovereignty, academic integrity, and community resources, while sharing actionable strategies for institutional change.

Join us March 18 – March 19, 2026.

Register for in person or online https://z.umn.edu/holding-our-ground

07/01/2026

New class available this coming spring semester! ESCI 1909: Manoomin/Psiη (Wild Rice) and Its Environment

Manoomin/Psiη (Ojibwe/Dakota for wild rice), an aquatic grass that grows naturally in shallow lakes and streams around the Upper Great Lakes, plays a central role in both the diet and cultural identity of many Indigenous peoples in the region. Due to a high sensitivity to environmental stressors (e.g., perturbed water levels, contaminants, competitive and invasive species, and climate change), Manoomin/Psiη has been declining since Euro-American settlement, threatening Indigenous lifeways. Students will gain an interdisciplinary perspective on how multiple components of the environment, as well as people’s relationships with it, together influence Manoomin/Psiη stands. Understanding what supports Manoomin/Psiη requires a look at local lake to greater watershed-scale conditions; interacting ecological, hydrological, geochemical, and geological processes; and different management approaches driven by diverse values. While Manoomin/Psiη has served as a flashpoint, we will learn how it can also become a rallying point for all communities to be better stewards of the environment.

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Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:30 - 16:30
Thursday	08:30 - 16:30
Friday	08:30 - 16:30

Website

http://cla.umn.edu/ais

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