About Us
Center for Native American and Indigenous StudiesÌýprovides Native students and faculty an intellectual and social home at CU Â鶹¹ÙÍø. We promoteÌýcollaborative research focusing on both local and global Indigenous knowledge and foster wide ranging NAIS projects that aim to open conversations both in Colorado and the world.
The United Nations General Assembly’s points to the interconnections among indigenous peoples and groups around the world. The understanding and support of developing global indigeneity is our focus.
HighlightsÌýthat illustrate our work and uniqueness:
- Global Research & Connections:ÌýCNAIS faculty and affiliated programs have projects and connections extending from Sápmi (Sami territories) to Tahiti; we have a presence at the U.N., with a member of our Executive Board acting as legal counsel for the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and another faculty on the UN Expert Mechanism for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ìý - Indigenous Legal Scholars:ÌýCU Law is home toÌý.We interface with legal scholars on a daily basis and have unparalleled access to legal studies resources through our collaborations with ÌýÌýtheÌý, situated within sight of our office.Ìý
Ìý - Outreach and Engagement:Ìý°ä±·´¡±õ³§â€™s First Peoples Worldwide program provides legal and economic expertise to Indigenous communities around the world, and consults widely on Indigenous topics. FPW’s report on the Dakota Access Pipeline gained widespread attention, as it highlighted the extraordinary costs in time and money associated with failures to follow best practices and respect the rights of indigenous peoples.
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Â鶹¹ÙÍø Land Acknowledgment
The Â鶹¹ÙÍø, Colorado’s flagship university, honors and recognizes the many contributions of Indigenous peoples in our state. CU Â鶹¹ÙÍø acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute and many other Native American nations. Their forced removal from these territories has caused devastating and lasting impacts. While the Â鶹¹ÙÍø can never undo or rectify the devastation wrought on Indigenous peoples, we commit to improving and enhancing engagement with Indigenous peoples and issues locally and globally.
We will do this by:
- Recognizing and amplifying the voices of Indigenous CU Â鶹¹ÙÍø students, staff and faculty and their work.Ìý
- Educating, conducting research, supporting student success and integrating Indigenous knowledge.
- Consulting, engaging and working collaboratively with tribal nations to enhance our ability to provide access and culturally sensitive support and to recruit, retain and graduate Native American students in a climate that is inclusive and respectful.
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