UW American Indian Studies 50th Anniversary Celebration

media release: After 50 years, UW–Madison’s American Indian Studies (AIS) program might seem like it’s always been here. But creation of the program that is now so inextricable from campus life and scholarship was far from inevitable. A new oral history project being unveiled on October 10, Indigenous Peoples Day, traces AIS’s story of protest, resilience, and reckoning.

Event Schedule: 

3:00–4:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion | H.F. Deluca Forum: Hear from key leaders in the AIS program, such as Ms. Ada Deer, UW–Madison Emerita Faculty, and Former AIS Director. Ms. Deer, who was the first woman to head the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, is an activist, social work professional, and community leader.

4:30–5:30 p.m. | Student Poster Session | Discovery Building Rotunda: Student research related to a diverse array of Native issues will be featured at this poster session. Learn more about the exciting research our students are conducting in partnership with faculty and Native communities.

During the celebration, we will be launching the AIS Oral History Project website, a space where community members can hear firsthand about the history of our program from the people who were there. This collaborative project includes the work of AIS faculty, student researchers, and partners from across campus.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, and seats are first come.

Funding is provided by the Division of Equity and Educational Achievement, the Anonymous Fund and the Kemper K. Knapp Fund.