University of Illinois, American Indian Studies

08/30/2026

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026
Not Your Mascot: The Impact of (Mis)Representation

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Native American House invites you to explore why representation matters for identity, belonging, community well-being, and social justice.

For more information: https://nah.illinois.edu/events/indigenous-peoples-day

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

📢 Join the Native American House Fall 2026 Book Club, RSVP now open!

This Fall, we are diving into Probably Ruby by Lisa Bird-Wilson, a powerful and passionate novel exploring identity, belonging, and the universal desire to love and be loved. Space is limited! Be sure to secure your spot today before they fill up.

📅Meeting Dates:
Wednesday, September 23
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, November 11

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

📍 Location: Native American House (1206 W. Nevada St., Urbana)

🔗 Register Now! Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://nah.illinois.edu/programs/bookclub

This program is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, or national origin.

08/13/2026

🎉 Welcome to Illinois!

The Native American House is excited to welcome new undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and commuter students through the Indigenous Scholars Orientation (ISO) on August 20.

Guided by the idea of "connecting you with the circle that surrounds you," ISO introduces participants to the people, places, and resources that support student success, wellbeing, and belonging at Illinois.

We're also thrilled to join our BNAACC and La Casa relatives in welcoming new students through two incredible cultural engagement programs:

🧡 Circuit (August 19–20), hosted by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC)
🧡 Conéctate (August 19–21), hosted by La Casa Cultural Latina (La Casa)

📅 Learn more about the Indigenous Scholars Orientation: nah.illinois.edu/programs/indigenous-scholars-orientation-iso

06/02/2026

The Native American House is proud to welcome attendees of the 2026 Native Forward Empowering Scholars Summit to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!

Our campus was selected as the host site in recognition of the Native American House's national leadership, innovative programming, dedicated staff, and the vibrant Native student community that helps make this work possible.

To the Native Forward team, scholars, and partners: welcome to Illinois and to the traditional homelands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations.

We are grateful to host you and look forward to a meaningful and inspiring gathering centered on education, leadership, community, and Native student success.

About the Empowering Scholars Summit: https://www.nativeforward.org/native-forward-scholars-fund-2026-empowering-scholars-summit/

05/19/2026

Submissions are now being accepted for a special issue on “Attending to Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences in Place.”

Co-edited by Natasha Myhal (Ojibwe), American Indian Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Brittani R. Orona (Hupa), University of California, Davis, this issue invites cross-disciplinary work that centers place as a starting point for Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences.

Abstracts of up to 600 words are due June 15, 2026, with decisions announced July 1, 2026 and full essays due September 30, 2026.

04/16/2026

Join us for “Dreaming as Ethical Cognition” with Dr. Suzanne Kite (Oglála Lakȟóta) on April 24, 3:00–4:00 PM in Levis Faculty Center, Room 210.

Kite is an artist, composer, and scholar whose work brings together Lakota ontologies, research-creation, computational media, sound, and performance. Her groundbreaking practice explores ethical relations, technology, and Indigenous ways of thinking in deeply creative and powerful ways.

We hope you will join us for this exciting conversation and opportunity to hear from a visionary Indigenous artist and thinker.

Supported by the Mellon Foundation, American Indian Studies, and the Arts Integration Office.