Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies
Oregon State University’s Indigenous Studies minor, offered both in person and through Ecampus, is grounded in Indigenous knowledges, methods, and histories. The minor consists of 12 credits of required core courses and a minimum of 16 credits of elective courses. Course details can be found through the minor requirements link.
The Minor:
- enhances students’ understandings of Indigenous histories and contemporary issues;
- informs their responsibilities to Indigenous knowledges;
- demonstrates the centrality of these knowledges for meeting the world’s most pressing challenges;
- builds skills for supporting Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty;
- offers engagement in the work of decolonization;
- and prepares them to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities and peoples at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Contact Indigenous Studies
Waldo Hall 282
2250 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
Office: 541-737-7831
Email Luhui Whitebear
Director of the School of Language, Culture, and Society
Indigenous Studies Academic Advising
Indigenous Studies Faculty
Indigenous (re)envisioning and restoration of Anahola seascapes
Dr. Patricia Fifita is leading the development of a community-focused restoration plan in Kauaʻi to help guide the long-term stewardship of Indigenous coastline
Walking in parallel worlds
Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies Luhui Whitebear writes about her experience navigating a land-grant institution and how Indigenous feminism has been at the forefront of tribal sovereignty
10th Annual Native American Flute Circle
Jan Reibach at the 10th annual Native American flute circle.
1st Annual Tarweed Awakening
Luhui Whitebear at Shawala Point during the 1st annual Tarweed Awakening event.
Indigenous Studies Led Research
Dr. Patricia Fifita
- “Indigenous (Re)envisioning and Restoration of Anahola Seascapes”
Dr. David Lewis
- "Indigenous Forest Stewardship project in W. Cascades"
Dr. Luhui Whitebear
- "Cultivating Relationships through Camas Restoration"
- "One Water in the Siletz River Basin"
Indigenous Studies History
The Indigenous Studies Minor was officially approved in Spring 2022 following the decades long groundwork started by faculty during the establishment of Ethnic Studies in 1995. The intent to draw from both local responsibilities and a broad understanding of Indigeneity
included an intentional focus on Pacific Islander communities.
As a result of student and faculty activism, Indigenous Studies became an interdisciplinary program housed under Ethnic Studies with a focus on the Indigenous people of the Americas and Pacific Islands. In 2021 there was an Indigenous Studies cluster hire to help build the program and the first student graduated in 2022 with an Indigenous Studies minor. Learn more about Indigenous Studies at OSU's history.
OSU Land Acknowledgement
Oregon State University recognizes the impact that its land grant history had on Indigenous communities in Oregon. Read OSU's full land acknowledgment to learn more.
The Indigenous Studies Minor is not an authority on providing guidance on local Tribal histories and representation. We support Tribal sovereignty and self-determination on how this information is represented and encourage you to visit the official Tribal webpages for information on how they would like their histories told. Visit the webpages of the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon. As a land grant institution, OSU acknowledges its responsibilities to the Tribal nations within the state, and beyond. The Indigenous Studies Minor is an extension of OSU and also understands these responsibilities. Learn more about that commitment. If you are looking for guidance on developing land acknowledgments, please refer to the OSU President’s Commission on Indigenous Affairs guidance .
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