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Highlighting Our Alumni Celebrating Native American Studies 50th anniversary

As part of the 50th Anniversary of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico, we would like to highlight NAS Alumni.

50th Anniversary, Native American Studies at UNM

The Native American Studies Center was founded in 1970 as a support program for Native American students at the University of New Mexico. In 1980, the Native American Studies Center became two units: Native American Studies (NAS) and American Indian Student Services (AISS). In September 1998, NAS became an interdisciplinary academic program housed in University College. In 1999, the undergraduate minor in Native American Studies was approved. In December 2004, the UNM Board of Regents approved Native American Studies as an undergraduate major (Bachelor of Arts, B.A. degree) within University College. In February 2018, the State of New Mexico approved the addition of the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Native American Studies. Then in 2018, the NAS department moved into the College of Arts & Sciences.

NAS is an interdisciplinary academic department and is committed to Indigenous academic scholarship and research excellence. The department is proud to offer a M.A., B.A., Accelerated Online B.A., and Minor degrees in Native American Studies.

Our goal is excellence in educating all students and the public about the Native experience of Indigenous Peoples with significant attention given our complex history and intercultural heritage of New Mexico and the United States. Another goal is to create a department that collaborates with Native communities and engages students in Nation building.

Honoring Indigenous Experiences, strengthening native nations, and helping build sustainable communities through academic excellence

DINA GILIO-WHITAKER

Descendant Colville Confederated Tribes

Currently residing in San Clemente, California, unceded traditional Acjachemen territory.

DINA GILIO-WHITAKER earned with her B.A. in Native American Studies in 2009 and a M.A. in American Studies both from the University of New Mexico.

I am so very proud to have graduated from the program. It was life-changing and life-affirming for me. It was an incredible privilege to study in a program with all Native faculty and almost all Native students. I could not have asked for a better educational experience. 50 years of NAS at UNM demonstrates the need for and power of higher education dedicated to our knowledges as Native People and decolonization as our future.

After completing her graduate degree at the University of New Mexico, Dina moved back to Southern California where she grew up. She worked for the Center for World Indigenous Studies as a research associate and policy director for six years, as well as a freelance writer.

Dina wrote for a wide variety of publications, including Native media outlets like Indian Country Today, Native People’s Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, High Country News, and more.

In 2017, Dina was hired as a lecturer in American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos, where she teaches courses on environmental issues, traditional ecological knowledge, religion and philosophy, American Indians and sports, and Native women’s activism.

Dina has contributed to numerous book chapters to edited volumes and published several peer-reviewed articles, as well as copy-edited the Fourth World Journal. Her first book published was co-authored with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz in 2016, “All the Real Indians Died Off” and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans. In 2019, her second book was published, “As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock.”

I began writing about the intersections of settler colonialism and the sport of surfing in an intellectual project I call “un-erasing” Native people in their homelands, contributing to the emerging field of critical surf studies, a branch of critical sports studies. Related to this, I work every summer with an organization called Native Like Water which is an academically and culturally based program that brings Native youth back to their homelands in coastal areas. They are immersed in cultural traditions as well as surfing as a way to foster wellness and fun. A third book is currently in the works.

Favorite NAS lesson learned

Dr. Cajete once told a story about a conversation he had with Vine Deloria, Jr. talking about Native American Studies (paraphrasing here) they said that we are Indians studying, which is very different than studying Indians.

What can you do with a Native American Studies degree?

Work for Native organizations, tribes, governments, teach, write books, do podcasts and journalism, advise politicians, write policy statements and legislation, and so much more.

DINA GILIO-WHITAKER

MAKHPIYA BLACK ELK

Oglala Lakota & Xicano Mestizo

Albuquerque, New Mexico

MAKHPIYA BLACK ELK graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies, concentration in Leadership & Building Native Nations and a minor in Sociology from the University of New Mexico.

During his time at the University of New Mexico, he participated in Kiva Club, Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group (NASIRG), American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), Beta Sigma Epsilon, and the Men of Color Alliance (MoCA).

Native American Studies Lesson Learned

Community Based Participatory Research. “Nothing about us without us.”

I have found that my degree in Native American Studies has helped shape my perspective and approach to my work. Many doors have opened up with having a college degree in general, but having a focus in NAS allows me to think critically and problem solve.

Since graduating from UNM, Makhpiya been a part of the following: Board of Directors for La Plazita Institute, Together for Brothers, former board member of Native American Voters Alliance, mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentor with Together for Brothers, advisor for Beta Sigma Epsilon, Native American Community Academy (NACA) Uncles Mentoring Program, “Dem Bike Dadz” bicycle group, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, and Central County Committee member.

Reflecting on Native American Studies

I remember the feeling of being empowered and gaining a clearer understanding of the world and my lived experience. So many important lessons about my people were never taught in grade school, leaving me with stereotypes and misinformation to try to make sense of what I was seeing. As I think about the legacy of graduates and the work we are contributing to our communities, I’m reminded of how far we have come and how much work needs to still be done.

MAKHPIYA BLACK ELK

ANDY NEZ

Diné from Rabbitbrush, New Mexico

ANDY NEZ graduated in 2013 with his B.A. in Native American Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Learning Communities. He earned a Masters in Education (MEd) in Career and Technical Education and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Organizational Leadership in Education.

While attending the University of New Mexico, he was a member and President of Diné at UNM, member and Co-Chair of the Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group (NASIRG), and a Ronald E. McNair Fellow.

When I first entered Native American Studies, I was oblivious to Indigenous affairs, especially in a historical context. I was unaware of how society shaped my image. Two years later, UNM NAS handed me more than a diploma - I walked off the stage an Indigenous advocate, a community organizer, a change maker, and an academic enthusiast. And today, I am conscious of my being, and I work everyday to preserve my Indigeneity. UNM NAS, you change lives! Also, a #shoutOut to Dr. Tiffany Lee; her words, encouragement, and challenges continue to make me a better person, and Dr. Lloyd Lee, who continues to be a mentor to my work.

Since graduating from UNM, Andy has taught Diné language and culture as a classroom teacher, coached high school volleyball, founded a couple of community organizations, serves as a board member on a few community and regional committees, consultant work (Diné language translations, community events, seminars, professional development in education), volunteerism, and writing.

With a degree in Native American Studies, Andy says, “one may become a writer, an educator, community organizer, non-profit leader, advisor, researcher or another area that takes back Indigenous spaces. Foster in a place where you are able to cultivate and educate.”

Reflecting on 50 years of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico

Because in another 50 years, NAS will produce thousands of exceptional Indigenous scholars who will truly understand our being. This will only create a stronger response to preserving Indigenous livelihoods, whether that be in education, culture, language, or other means. Those who contributed to the last 50 years have done its job, and the work continues.

ANDY NEZ

ALANNAH HURLEY

Yup’ik

Saguyaq (Clark’s Point), Alaska

ALANNAH HURLEY graduated in 2009 with a B.A. in Native American Studies with a concentration in Leadership & Sovereignty with a minor in Political Science.

While attending the University of New Mexico, Alannah participated in Kiva Club, Student Success Mentor, and the Native American Community Academy (NACA) afterschool programs staff.

Before I found NAS, I struggled to find a place in higher education that best cultivated my passions and energy to serve my community and people. The knowledge and support I received at NAS continues to be an invaluable foundation for our work to exert tribal sovereignty and strengthen tribal communities. Quyana (thank you) to NAS for being a bright light in academia that’s focused on growing critical thinkers to help build strong and resilient Native Nations.

Since graduating from the University of New Mexico she’s been working in Tribal Advocacy, specifically in environmental justice and cultural protection work.

A degree in NAS cultivates critical thinkers with a foundation of knowledge that is invaluable when navigating how to be an effective and strong advocate and leader. The program’s focus on solution-oriented critical thinking, prepares you for any career path that’s a good fit for your passion and skill set. Whether you want to go into governance or politics, law, cultural revitalization, or public health: NAS prepares you to understand the history and political realities that have shaped our current society and issues we face today. A degree in NAS prepares you to take your education and utilize it to address and find solutions to these major issues we not only face as Native people but as a collective society.
50 years of NAS is inspiring because it is 50 years of turning out strong, educated advocates for Native America! Many who are grounded in their Native ways of life and values, using their education to become much needed agents of positive change building strong Native Nations. NAS helps our future look bright!

ALANNAH HURLEY

LANI TSINNAJINNIE, Ph.D.

NAVAJO from Na’Neelzhiin, New Mexico

DR. LANI TSINNAJINNIE graduated in 2007 with a double major, B.A. in Native American Studies, B.S. in Environmental Science. Dr. Tsinnajinnie earned her Master of Water Resources in 2011 from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science with a Dissertation in Hydrology from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Techology.

During her time at the University of New Mexico, Lani participated in the Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group (NASIRG) and the Association of Water Professionals.

Once Dr. Tsinnajinnie completed her Ph.D. in Hydrology from New Mexico Tech, she continued collaborative research with the Navajo Nation Water Management Branch examining hydrogeology of the Chuska Mountains to help better understand impacts of climate change on mountainous water resources. She is now an Assistant Professor in Community and Regional Planning at UNM specializing in water resources planning, development, and sustainability.

Lessons learned from NAS

There’s so many! My favorite lesson learned is Indigenous Peoples and knowledges are always evolving but our connection to land is at our core.

What can you do with a degree in NAS?

Anything! Native American Studies doesn’t just teach about Native history and issues, but it gave me the ability to think critically about the world around us and other knowledge being shared. It helped me in graduate school to make larger connections to the hydrology/science research I was doing.
50 years of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico is significant to me mostly because I see how much great work fellow NAS alumni and colleagues are doing. NAS was also central to building and fostering a community of Native students and faculty at UNM that helped me to feel at home and has made my experiences at UNM enjoyable.

DR. LANI TSINNAJINNIE

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

N A S . U N M . E D U

Created By
Catherine Montoya
Appreciate