Welcome
Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, (Anthropology, Berkley Center); Bette Jacobs (Law School, O’Neill Institute for National & Global Health Law)
The Indigenous Studies Working Group of Georgetown University gathers together colleagues and students interested in the field of Indigenous Studies. We promote greater respect, awareness, and collaboration with Indigenous peoples in our region, in the United States, and across the world. All with serious interest in Indigenous peoples are welcome here.
What is Indigeneity?
Indigenous peoples—also known as native or aboriginal peoples—identify themselves as the original inhabitants of their home regions. Indigenous groups today are actively protecting, defining, and transforming their own identities in the context of centuries of colonization, forced assimilation, and genocide. The concept of indigeneity and the suffering, survival, and resilience behind it are in need of debate and exploration. Our network is a growing work in progress, and both faculty and student interest at Georgetown is strong. Our members include faculty from many departments and across Georgetown schools in the main campus and Law School. They also include students from the Native American Student Associations on both campuses.
Why do we need a network?
Today’s university- and country-wide soul-searching concerning misunderstandings about race, the fluidity of identity, and the construction of ethnic group solidarities benefits from adding the dimension of indigenous studies to the mix of Georgetown’s diversity-oriented events and courses. While our campus is rightfully engaged in heightened awareness concerning race, ethnicity, gender, nationalism, and identity, Indigenous peoples are often marginalized—if not getting lost—once again. We need a better framing for students and faculty in the campus community to benefit more systematically from consciousness-raising concerning issues of Indigenous identity, rights, legacies, and (re)vitalization. We hope that this website can become a forum for discussion of issues that are crucial to Indigenous communities.
Relevant courses in DC area:
CULP 375 “Indigenous Peoples, Conflict and Resilience” team-taught by Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer (new window), Faculty Fellow Berkley Center (balzerm@georgetown.edu); Bette Jacobs (new window), Distinguished Professor of Health Administration (Bette.Jacobs@georgetown.edu)
At American University, ANTH 635 “Recognizing Indigenous America” is taught at the graduate level by Buck Woodard (woodard@american.edu (new window)) Fall 2019
At George Washington University, the AT&T Center for Indigenous Politics and Policy (new window) has numerous offerings.
News and Events
It is great that “Columbus Day” earlier celebrated October 14 is now designated “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in many states and Washington D.C. We are waiting for Georgetown to do more than call it “Mid-Semester Holiday!”
Native American Students Have a Newsletter and Want New Recruits
Summer/Fall 2019
Native American Student Petition to GU Available Here
The Native American Student Council was Featured in a Story in the Georgetown Voice
Archived Event: Social Justice in the World of Conservationism
Nov. 13 6:30-7:45 PM, Walsh 490
Panel on National Parks and Native Americans
Moderator: Prof. Randall Amster
Panelists: Professors Bette Jacobs, Shelbi Meissner, James Olsen, and a representative from the National Park Conservation Association.
Archived Event: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Symposium
Nov 18, 2019 Intercultural Center Auditorium 6:30-8:30 p.m.
New App Provides Guide to Indigenous DC
Kennedy Center’s Reach Festival Featured a Day of Indigenous Arts (Sept. 10, 2019) — Soon on Video
The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage has free recorded events, often including Indigenous performers.
“Dancing Earth” (April 26, 2019) with a Piscataway opening blessing on video
Visit the National Museum of the American Indian Website to Keep Up With its Events
Fourth Street & Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20560
The National Museum of the American Indian offers a wide variety of programming and events.
History Making: Representative Debra Haaland (D-New Mexico) on Campus
11/26 and 3/26
Representative Debra Haaland (D-New Mexico) was on Campus March 26, for a forum on “Intersectional Feminism in Congress” and for the symposium “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women” November 26. She is one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, leading the legislative effort for Voting Rights, the Environment, the $15 minimum wage, and solving the cases of missing and murdered Native American women.
Indigenous Peoples March in DC
January 18, 2019
On January 18, 2019, the Indigenous Peoples Movement sponsored a march in Washington, DC to bring awareness to the injustices facing indigenous men, women, and children around the world. Co-sponsors included Cultural Survival.
In The Future
All are welcome to join our mailing list to learn more about new events of interest on the Georgetown campus and in the Washington metro area.
Explore our Resources and Other Offerings!
Bears Ears National Monument Controversy
Dr. Bette Jacobs, GULC’s Native American Law Students Association, and GULC’s Environmental Law Society discussed Public Lands, Sacred Lands, and Presidential Authority.
Justice in America for Native Americans
Watch the video of the April 24, 2017 panel and stay current on the Health Law Initiative’s continued work on Justice for Native Americans
Resources
The Indigenous Studies Working Group maintains a growing list of resources for Indigenous studies, support, and outreach on the Georgetown campus, throughout the Washington metropolitan area, and across the United States.
Recommended Reading
Browse our growing list of academic and popular literary sources for those interested in learning more about Indigenous histories, cultures, and politics.
Film Database
See our extensive listing of wide-release and independent films, documentaries, and series, many directed, written, and performed by Indigenous directors and actors themselves.
Cultural Expression
See examples of traditional and contemporary Indigenous music and visual arts from performers and artists across the world.