Recent News
In the spring of 1970, a group of Native American students brainstormed ways to prioritize Native studies at the UW. They submitted their ideas to the College of Arts & Sciences, which provided crucial support at a time when University finances were limited. Professors James Nason (Comanche) from Anthropology and Frances Swensson (Lakota) from Political Science, along with students, met…
The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington invites applications for a Part-Time Lecturer (PTL) pool for Academic Year 2026–27.We welcome applicants committed to Indigenous knowledge systems, community accountability, and student-centered teaching.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through April 1, 2026.🔗 Apply via Interfolio📅 Deadline: April 1, 2026
An article by Nancy Joesph from the UW College of Arts & Sciences about the return of "The Healing Heart of the First People of this Land" a symphony arrangement commissioned by the Late Vi Hilbert (Upper Skagit). The University of Washington symphony will be performing this work in February of 2026. Link to article: https://artsci.washington.edu/news/2025-12/healing-heart-returns?mkt_to…
Makah Tribe’s treaty-protected whaling rights remain blocked more than two decades later - ICT
Dian Million (Tanana Athabascan), UW associate professor of American Indian studies, received a 2025 Freedom Scholar Award from the Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF) for “her scholarship and activism in Indigenous feminisms and Indigenous community well-being.” The Freedom Scholar Award honors leading academics whose visionary work advances social and economic justice. …
We are so proud of our recent graduate, Devin Sampson-Craig, who completed his Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies this Summer 2025. Just before graduating, Devin was interviewed by the College of Arts and Sciences to tell his amazing story about coming to UW, filming Rez Ball, completing independent research about Native representation in film through an AIS independent study project,…
Five years before a 25-foot story pole was installed outside Denny Hall on the University of Washington campus, Sven Haakanson (Sugpiaq/Alutiiq) had a vision.A Native Alaskan, Haakanson understands the importance of recognizing a land’s native peoples. So, when he looked around the UW’s Seattle campus, he found himself wondering: Where is the Coast Salish community? The Burke Museum houses Coast…
Marvin Oliver, renowned artist, advocate, UW graduate, associate curator for the Burke Museum, and professor emeritus of American Indian Studies, passed away on July 17, 2019 surrounded by family.
His work spanned many mediums and is on display throughout the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and around the world. Though rooted in his Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo heritage, Marvin’s work…
Jessica Bissett Perea (Dena’ina) had never heard powwow singing before attending an Indigenous music conference in Toronto in 2008.
She was born north of Anchorage, Alaska, where powwows just started appearing in the last 25 years. At the conference, she was drawn to the singing voice of John-Carlos Perea (Mescalero Apache, Irish, Chicano, German). The pair discovered they had a…
The American Indian Studies department is excited to announce the hiring of Joe (wahalatsu?) Seymour Jr., a Coast Salish artist who will be bringing his talents of Native art to upcoming classes.
Mr. Seymour is from the Squaxin Island and Pueblo of Acoma tribes, and his art is heavily inspired by Coast Salish styles. He began his journey in the arts in 2003, carving a canoe paddle for the…