University of Illinois, American Indian Studies

10/20/2026

Join us for a talk by Dr. Angela Calcaterra, Associate Professor of American Indian Studies, as part of the Center for Writing Studies’ Brownbag Series.

Writing the Forgotten Black Past: Brief Notes on Recovery

Dr. Calcaterra will explore how Indigenous political thought, storytelling, and material culture challenge American gun culture and illuminate the historical connections between gun violence, settler colonialism, and Indigenous resistance.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Illini Union Bookstore, Room 514

All are welcome!

10/08/2026

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign retired its former mascot nearly two decades ago. The continued purchase, sale, wearing, and public display of this imagery, including dressing up in imitation headdresses, must end.

Let us be clear: Native peoples are not mascots, symbols, or logos. Its continued display is offensive and undermines the dignity, safety, well-being, and belonging of Native students and the larger Native higher education community at Illinois.

We invite the Illinois community to join us for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 12. Learn more about the day’s programs and our focus on Native (mis)representation: https://nah.illinois.edu/events/indigenous-peoples-day

10/05/2026

Monday, October 12 is Indigenous Peoples' Day! Join us for a day of events around this year's theme, "Not Your Mascot: The Impact of (Mis)Representation," at the Spurlock Museum, the Native American House, and Illinois Street Dining Center. Here are some of the highlights:

💙 11 AM: NAH's very own Dr. Charlotte Davidson and Morgan Bear will be featured in the panel "Telling Our Own Stories: Reclaiming Indigenous Representation" at Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum.

🧡 4 PM: Join us for a screening of "Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting" at Knight Auditorium, followed by a dialogue with our undergraduate ambassadors and the film's director, Ben West.

Also happening are a community feed at 1 PM in the Core Gallery (Spurlock), outdoor community printmaking at NAH from 4-5:30 PM, and a themed dinner at Illinois Street Dining Center from 4:30-8 PM.

Drop in for one event or stay for the day. Full schedule at: https://nah.illinois.edu/events/indigenous-peoples-day

09/22/2026

Applications for 2027-2028 NCAIS Fellowships are now open!

Faculty members and graduate students from NCAIS Member and Affiliate Institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium -members) are eligible to apply for funding to support projects in American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

These awards support researchers whose work aligns with the methodologies and core ethics of the field of Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS), namely: relationality, data sovereignty, reciprocity, and accountability to Indigenous communities.

Three NCAIS fellowships are available:

- Graduate Student Research Award
- Long-Term Faculty Fellowship
- Short-Term Faculty Fellowship

Applications are due January 15, 2027. Results will be shared in March 2027.

To learn more and apply, please visit our website: https://www.newberry.org/research/fellowships/indigenous-and-tribal/ncais-fellowships-and-grants

09/22/2026

The call for applications for the 2027 NCAIS Spring Workshop in Sitka, Alaska is NOW OPEN!

All graduate students at NCAIS Institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium) are eligible to apply.

If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please contact your institution’s NCAIS liaison directly.

Applications are due October 1.

Learn more: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/2027-ncais-graduate-workshop-in-research-methods

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/