Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that centers the knowledges, priorities, aspirations and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples locally, nationally and internationally to provide examinations of the world’s most pressing issues and unique interventions and innovative solutions. 

The Indigenous Studies program also provides students with a set of interdisciplinary tools to think rigorously about important issues confronting Indigenous communities in the present while examine the historic political, social and cultural elements of Indigenous Nations locally and globally. Our classes provide all students, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous, with critical skills to confront issues such as language diversity, environmental issues, politics and policies, history and archiving, gender interventions, public health and much more. We have three areas of focus that will provide the tools to think in a rigorous, interdisciplinary way about the complex political organizations of Indigenous Nations across the globe, environmental issues that address the relationship to land, and the unique ability to have a specialization in Haudenosaunee languages. Students with a successful completion of the Indigenous Studies degrees will be ready for a wide variety of careers in Indigenous Nations and organizations as well as fill much needed diversity in this workforce area.

What is Indigenous Studies?

Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that centers the knowledges, priorities, aspirations and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples locally, nationally and internationally.

Indigenous Studies at UB>

Our History

The Department of Indigenous Studies builds on UB’s prior reputation in Native American Studies and specifically Haudenosaunee Studies. Originally housed within the Department of American Studies, the strength of this program is attributed to the legacies of Haudenosaunee scholars, activists and educators.

Our History>

Community Engagement

With support of the Indigenous Studies department student groups are involving the UB community in Indigenous centered events that share our foods, culture, heritage and worldviews.

Community Engagement>

Support the Department

Please consider donating to the Indigenous Studies Support fund which assists us in providing student support and promoting community engagement.

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