"It’s important to find a way to connect academicians to contemporary happenings in Indian Country," said Manley Begay, professor of Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University. "We need to ask 'How can the academy be a better partner to native nations?"
Putting theory to work in our own backyard
First and foremost, institutions need to find ways to provide a service to American Indian nations and organizations that deal with indigenous issues.
"Native nations are currently in a nation-building era," Begay said. "It’s very similar to what occurred when the Iron Curtain fell. Suddenly these European countries were no longer under the colonial grasp of the USSR. No longer did they have to consult Moscow before they acted for their own welfare. American Indians are in a similar situation."
This nation-building presents challenges--and presents a wonderful opportunity for higher education to get involved.
"There's a lot of experience, knowledge and theory around nation-building in academia. But it's important to put those theories into practice," he said. "A lot of higher education work happens in exotic locations--but right here in our own backyard these nations need help with issues such as constitutional reform, health system reform, education and curriculum building, and environmental issues."
American Indians need the skills and knowledge to address these circumstances, and higher education institutions have the resources to help meet these needs--while respecting the sovereignty, culture and leadership of the nations.
Call to action
"Now is the best time for action to occur and this is a call to action for colleges and universities," Begay said. "Building these relationships provides a fantastic opportunity for those working in the academy to promote awareness of these issues among students, faculty members, and administrators. It also allows you to understand how higher education ought to change not only in course offerings but also to attract a more diverse student body and teach all students about circumstances within their own country."
A citizen of the Navajo Nation, Begay specializes in Indigenous Nation-Building, Education, and Dinè History and Philosophy, as well as co-directing the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. AACRAO is proud to feature Professor Begay as a plenary speaker at the Graduate and Professional Schools Luncheon at the 2016 AACRAO Annual Meeting in Phoenix, March 20-23, where he will talk more in-depth about how institutions can build relationships with indigenous nations.
Preview our broad range of sessions and workshops, as well as hotel, travel, speaker, and registration information in the Registration Brochure. Register by February 19 and save $150 on your registration fee!