Native Pathways Program: "Indigenous Feminisms and Gender Narratives" is a program designed to explore the traditional and contemporary intersectional theories that focus on decolonization, self-determination, cultural sovereignty, and human rights. Indigenous Feminist Scholar Leanne Betasamosake Simpson wrote, "I think it's in all of our best interests to take on gender violence as a core resurgence project, a core of any Indigenous mobilization...This begins for me by looking at how gender is conceptualized and actualized within Indigenous thought because it is colonialism that has imposed an artificial gender binary in my community."
We will examine how generations of genocide, racism, and settler colonialism have attempted to erase, silence, and promote stereotypes and monoculturalism throughout Indigenous communities, but more importantly, what the current Indigenous change-makers and scholarly leaders are doing now. Students will critically analyze the intersections between western and Indigenous feminism, understand and effectively communicate the imperative to value the Indigenous lens in academia, and report on a current researched movement that illustrates praxis. For the critical analysis research project (written and/or visual), students will integrate an Indigenous Feminisms theory into their research methodology and methods. NPP's "House of Welcome" Longhouse weekend intensives will include panels, small group work, native case studies, community building, cultural arts, and reflections.
The program meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-9:30pm at various "sites" with different modes of teaching: hybrid (one class on zoom/one class in person), remote (all classes on zoom or asychronous online), and in person. The Longhouse weekend intensives are for all students across the NPP "sites" and meet on: the first weekends of second weekends of February and March.
16-credit students will complete capstone/senior project work in addition to the 12-credit core listed above.
Registration
Academic Details
$35 for NPP cultural meals and supplies