May 21-23, 2009
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Details for Participants

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/Indigneous 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.

Acting Council

Responsible for the call for papers, developing the program, and conducting discussions regarding future plans that might come from the meeting.

• Ines Hernandez-Avila (University of California-Davis)
• J. Kehaulani Kauanui (Wesleyan University)
• K. Tsianina Lomawaima (University of Arizona)
• Jean O'Brien (University of Minnesota)
• Robert Warrior (University of Illinois)
• Jace Weaver (University of Georgia)

Nominations Committee

Three-Year terms (expire in 2011):

• Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Chair (Queensland University of Technology)
• Victoria Bomberry (University of California, Riverside)

Two-year terms (expire in 2010):

• Daniel Heath Justice (University of Toronto)
• Brenda Child (University of Minnesota)

One-year terms (expire in 2009):

• Gabrielle Tayac (National Museum of the American Indian)
• Paul Meredith (Victoria University of Wellington)

Call for Papers

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.

Submit a Proposal

Submit a proposal now!

Proposals are to be submitted electronically by December 1, 2008. Proposals will not be accepted after this date.

1. Use the electronic template to prepare a 250 word abstract in English.
2. Follow the instructions and submit your proposal online.
3. Choose an individual paper, a panel, or a roundtable proposal.
   • Individual paper must contain a presenter name, title, affiliation, brief précis and abstract of no more than 250 words.  
   • Panel proposals must contain a title of the panel, presenter names and affiliations, titles of individual presentations, and a brief précis for all individual presentations; a person designed as chair, and an abstract of no more than 250 words for the panel as a whole.
   • Roundtable proposals must include the same information as a panel presentation, except the individual presentation titles. 
4. You will receive an email confirmation after submitting your proposal.
5. Proposals will be reviewed by the review committee. All presenters will be notified by late January 2009. Presenters are required to register and attend the conference.

For more information, contact Heather Dorr, College of Continuing Education, at cceconf3@umn.edu or a member of the Acting Council.

Important Dates

Exhibits

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.

Contact Jean O’Brien for more information.

Future Meetings

• 2010 University of Arizona
• 2011 University of California, Davis

Documents

• NAISA Program 2008 (PDF)
• NAISA Program 2007 (PDF)
• NAISA Constitution and By-Laws (PDF)

Registration

Register online now!

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 reception, 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

NAISA Membership

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 and sending it to the University of Minnesota.

The Acting Council has been empowered to extend discretionary memberships. Please contact a member of the Acting Council for more information.

Accommodations

Dormitory Accommodations

You must register for dormitory and parking reservations through the online registration system

Middlebrook Hall - map - web site
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. All rooms are air-conditioned and smoke free. Bed
Linens and daily towel service are provided.

The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The room rate is $50  per night for single occupancy, and $40 per person per night for double occupancy. Breakfast is included in this dormitory package.

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.

Hotel Accommodations

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.

Dining

On-Campus Dining Facilities

University Dining Services has some modest dining facilities located around campus. University dining campus restaurants accept cash and credit cards.

Click here for more information about on-campus dining facilities.

Click here for more information about dining facilities near campus

The Twin Cities has a rich diversity of international specialty and ethnic markets.
Click here for an International Market Guide with markets close to campus

Off-Campus Dining Facilities

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:

www.whereminneapoliseats.com
www.twincitiesdiningguide.com
twincities.citysearch.com
www.citypages.com/restaurants
www.opentable.com
twincities.metromix.com

Transportation

Airport

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.

Ground Transportation

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:

• Light Rail service is available to downtown Minneapolis from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. Approximate one-way fare is approximately $2.25 depending on time of day. View information and route map. For light-rail transportation to Holiday Inn Metrodome disembark at the Metrodome Transit; Middlebrook Hall disembark at Cedar-Riverside.
  
  Middlebrook Hall: is 1 km from Cedar-Riverside station. Turn left on 17th Avenue, walk two blocks and turn right on 4th Street. Cross Cedar Avenue at the stoplight and follow Riverside Avenue three blocks to 5th Street. Turn left onto the pedestrian path and follow it past the Regis Center for Art them turn left onto 22nd Avenue.
  
  Holiday Inn Metrodome runs an at-will Shuttle service to the Metrodome Light Rail Station. To schedule a pick-up, please contact the hotel directly for at (612) 333-4646
  
  
• SuperShuttle offers convenient shuttle service to area locations. Call 800-BlueVan or visit the SuperShuttle Web site at www.supershuttle.com to reserve your transportation. Shuttle service is available for approximately $14 each way.

 Additional Travel Options
Catch a train
Amtrak

Express double-decker bus service from Chicago
Megabus

Contact Us

Department of American Indian Studies
19 Scott Hall
72 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-624-1338 (voice)
612-626-7904 (fax)