- Campuses :
- Twin Cities
- Crookston
- Duluth
- Morris
- Rochester
- Other Locations
On May 21-23, the Department of American Indian Studies hosted the first official meeting of the new Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Founded at a meeting at the University of Georgia in April 2008, the association’s membership is already more than 500, demonstrating the large audience for this new professional association. The Minneapolis meeting of NAISA drew more than 700 participants from eighteen countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Norway, Taiwan, and Bolivia, including an enormous number of indigenous peoples from across the globe. The association is heavily interdisciplinary as well as international, and this year’s program featured 118 sessions of four or more presentations in disciplines such as history, literature, law, political science, anthropology, education, and the creative arts. The conference, held on the West Bank campus of the University, including an opening night feast on the Willey Hall commons with welcomes extended by the association’s first President, Robert Warrior of the University of Illinois, Dean of CLA James Parente, Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity Rusty Barcelo, Council of Elders representatives Carrie Schommer and Dorothy Sam, and was emceed by Anton Treuer, a Ph.D. from the Department of History who now teaches at Bemidji State University. The Battle River drum group of Red Lake provided welcoming and honor songs. Jean O’Brien, associate professor in the history department and former Chair of the Department of American Indian Studies, is a founding member and President-Elect of the association.
The conference will be taking place at Wiley Hall (registration check-in and press exhibit hall) and Blegen Hall (sessions). Dormitory accommodations are in Middlebrook Hall.
View Conference Map (PDF)
May 21-23, 2009 the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota will host the first meeting of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA). This is the third of three meetings that culminated in the creation of a new professional organization for scholars who work in American Indian/Native American/First Nations/Aboriginal/Indigenous Studies. The Native American Studies program at the University of Oklahoma, Norman hosted the first meeting in May of 2007, and the Institute of Native American Studies at the University of Georgia hosted the second meeting in April of 2008.
The American Indian Studies Department at the U of M is excited to host the third meeting. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the department’s founding – the oldest such program in the country with departmental status. Founded amidst the civil rights struggles of the sixties and early seventies, the department 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.
A local host committee of faculty and staff members will arrange accommodations, meeting space, and a set of events that will give conference participants an opportunity to experience the beautiful Twin Cities and U of M campus.
Contact members of the Acting Council if you have questions or concerns.
Responsible for the call for papers, developing the program, and conducting discussions regarding future plans that might come from the meeting.
Three-Year terms (expire in 2011):
Two-year terms (expire in 2010):
One-year terms (expire in 2009):
Call for Papers (PDF)
The American Indian Studies Department at the University is hosting the first meeting of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. The Acting Council is inviting proposals from scholars around the globe for submissions of individual papers, panel session proposals, or roundtables on any topic in Native American and Indigenous Studies. All persons working in the field are invited and encouraged to submit proposals. Only complete proposals will receive full consideration. The limit on proposals is two proposed appearances on the program in any capacity.
Proposals are to be submitted electronically by December 1, 2008. Proposals will not be accepted after this date.
For more information, contact Heather Dorr, College of Continuing Education, at cceconf3@umn.edu or a member of the Acting Council.
| April 29, 2009 | Deadline for conference rate on rooms at the Holiday Inn. |
| April 13, 2009 | Deadline for paid ads in the program booklet. |
| May 1, 2009 | Deadline for early registration rate. |
| May 13, 2009 | Deadline for cancellation with a $30 cancellation fee (no refunds offered after this date. |
Space for exhibits has been reserved. At the first NAISA meeting at the University of Oklahoma in May 2007, seven (7) university presses exhibited and sponsored book signings. Another eight (8) publishers did not send representatives but sent books and other materials to be displayed at unstaffed tables. At the second meeting at the University of Georgia in April 2008, twelve (12) university presses exhibited their books at staffed tables. Another six (6) publishers did not send representatives but sent books and other materials to be displayed at unstaffed tables.
The exhibit fee includes pipe and drape, two skirted tables, two folding chairs, a wastebasket, a sign, and a pass to the conference. Following receipt of your registration, books exhibitors will receive an Exhibitor Services Kit from the drayage company providing booth services which will outline the process and fees for shipping materials to your booth as well as for ordering additional furniture. Additionally, we will provide student assistants to vendors during the exhibit so that you might take a break.
Advertising also may be purchased in the printed program for the meeting.
Press Exhibits Form (PDF)
Contact Jean O’Brien for more information.
Exhibitors may provide a 1 page handout to be included in the participant materials. The cost is $150, and exhibitors must send 600 copies of the handout to Clair Daley at the address below by May 4, 2009.
Clair Daley, University of Minnesota, 1994 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Please note: you must use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox as your browser to complete online registration.
Registration Fees:
Before May 1, 2009
Registration rate - $125
Registration rate with membership fee - $150
Registration rate with student/scholar membership fee: $135
Student rate - $75
Student rate with student/scholar membership fee: $85
After May 1, 2009
Registration rate - $150
Registration rate with membership fee - $175
Registration rate with student/scholar membership fee - $160
Student rate - $95
Student rate with student/scholar membership fee - $105
The registration fee includes conference materials, the opening receptions, and refreshment breaks.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration, a refund of your fee, minus a $30 processing fee will be made if written notice is received by May 13, 2009. Cancellations after this date are not eligible for a refund.
For questions regarding your registration, contact:
Clair Daley
612-624-3492
cceconf3@umn.edu
For questions regarding the content of the program, contact:
Jean O'Brien
612-626-5330
obrie002@umn.edu
Membership in the newly formed NAISA is a requirement for presentations at the May 21-23, 2009 First Meeting of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Membership is $25 for a standard membership and $10 for a student, retired, independent scholar, or community scholar. This fee can be paid with you meeting registration to the University of Minnesota or paid now online here or by printing the application form (PDF) and sending it to the University of Minnesota.
While the association is filing incorporation papers to allow us to establish a bank account, membership fees will be collected by the University of Minnesota. All membership fees will go towards NAISA business.
The Acting Council has been empowered to extend discretionary memberships. Please contact a member of the Acting Council for more information.
You must register for dormitory and parking reservations through the online registration system.
Middlebrook Hall - website
412 22nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
We have reserved a limited number of single and double dormitory rooms in Middlebrook Hall on the West Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. This dormitory is nearest the conference sessions area.
Parking will be available to Middlebrook Hall dormitory residents at an estimated rate of $9 per day in the 21st Avenue Ramp. Residents will receive parking passes when you check into the dormitory.
Rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Metrodome on or near the campus of the University of Minnesota. Please make your reservations directly with the hotel of your choice. Mention Native American and Indigenous Studies to receive the meeting rate.
Holiday Inn Metrodome
1500 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota
800-448-3663
The room rate is $115 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy. Rooms will be held until April 29, 2009, or until the block is filled. Reservations made after this date will be accepted on a space-and-rate-available basis. Parking is available on site, and the rate is currently $12.
University Dining Services has some modest dining facilities located around campus. University dining campus restaurants accept cash and credit cards.
Deliciously diverse and always evolving, the Minneapolis dining scene packs a flavorful punch. Restaurants vary from family-style home cooking, candlelit dining rooms, outdoor cafes, and intimate little snack bars. It’s the perfect finish to a perfect visit in the great state of Minnesota-land of 10,000 lakes and even more restaurants. Check out the following sites for a variety of dining and nightlife options:
The Twin Cities are served by Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Please contact your local travel agency for airline reservations. Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport is well served by nonstop flights from London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and other major cities.
Information on ground transportation available from the airport to the hotel is available at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport Web site. Available ground transportation includes the following:
