Place-based Partnerships for Universities & Tribal Nations: Indigenizing and Decolonizing Spaces and Collections

This talk by Darren J. Ranco, PhD (Penobscot), Chair of Native American Programs at the University of Maine, explores University-Tribal partnerships and activities between the University of Maine and the Penobscot Nation and the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations. Dr. Ranco highlights the successes and challenges of Tribal Nation and higher education agreements to decolonize University practices as well as establish intermediate and long-term goals for indigenous focused policies and programs, such as the repatriation of tangible and intangible tribal cultural heritage items, the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), and the reclamation of indigenous spaces on campus through bilingual signage. With emphasis on place-based partnerships, the examples of Tribal Nation building in higher education in Maine underscore the importance of long-term partnerships with tribal nations and the need to clearly identify roles and responsibilities of both Universities and Tribal Nations in caring for indigenous cultural items and indigenous places.

About the Series: These virtual sessions will highlight the ongoing work of Native researchers and scholars. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from Indigenous people working in fields such as Ethno-botany, Educational Studies, History, and Anthropology.

Tickets for this program are no longer available. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events: Indigenous Methodologies with Suzanne Greenlaw (9/14) and our 2020 Annual Meeting with Geo Soctomah Neptune (9/17)!