Annotated bibliography - Native studies

Devon A. Mihesuah wrote a keynote speech in which he spoke during the Sixth Annual American Indian Studies Consortium Conference this item will analyze and discuss critical points of the keynote speech. Devon discusses what he sees going on around him and what we must do in relation to developing a better Native Studies program at universities. Devon has traveled and interviewed many and in this work he is explaining his visions. Devon sees development of the discipline and how the expansion is spreading across many schools. Though some of the new programs at universities are not that developed, there are many programs that are doing excellent. The Native Studies programs get people into the work, actively doing applied work relating to their own tribes. He discusses the importance of preserving the traditional foods and techniques to harvest food for better diets and an overall healthier life. Devon gives the idea that speaking out is a tool which should be used more often in stepping forward a better life for Native students which is clearing the way for the future. Many positive and encouraging are going on around in the Native Studies realm; however, Mr. Mihesuah understands this and discusses some issues at hand. Faculty issues are a concern where the university government and policies limit the instructor or limit the quality of a course. Devon states “It’s very difficult to create programs from the inside out, that is, from the way indigenous peoples look at the world rather than from the traditional history, anthropology, religious studies outside – in way of evaluating people they know little about, because there aren’t enough people who know enough about their cultures.”, which leads to a type of ethnic fraud where information is taught by people who don’t know enough about the topic at hand, or taught by scholars “who may have some Indian blood but no cultural knowledge or are even active in tribal activities”(Mihesuah). Funding is another issue where Natives are not getting a voice in. Many proposals have been sent but with little or no responses back from funding agencies (ford, etc). Another issue arising is plagiarism which I thought was shocking at first; Devon is referring to the stealing of ideas and not citing who originally came up with those ideas. This keynote discusses the need for more indigenous theories by indigenous people, and that they must be presented in textbooks and classrooms and taught to students. This keynote touches many criticism of today’s discipline and is an insightful look at the positive movements towards better Native Studies programs at universities.

Bibliography:

Mihesuah, Devon A. "Indigenizing the Academy." Wicazo Sa Review (Spring 2006): 127-137.