On February 6, over 120 individuals gathered on the University of Notre Dame campus to take part in "Creative Represencing: A Native American Symposium." The event, planned by Justin De Leon, a Visiting Research Fellow at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, brought together several Native American scholars and students to discuss responsible research methodologies alongside indigenous communities and to explore the under-explored and untold stories of Native Americans across the Notre Dame campus.
"When I think of the idea of presence, I think of patient perseverance, and the idea that perhaps stories are never fully erased--they're always present, but maybe unrecognized," said De Leon. "The notion of creative represencing is a calling back to recognize the presence of Native Americans that’s already here on campus."
The day began with a session entitled "Muffins and Methods," which brought together 30 graduate students and scholars for a discussion of how to conduct community-based research in ethical, meaningful, and relationship-oriented ways. Panelists discussed the personal convictions that animate their research, the community sources they look to for building collective knowledge and testing new ideas, and struggles they've faced at their own colleges and universities.
De Leon says,
"Some of these approaches are marginalized in academia. By foregrounding and affirming them here, participants were reinforced in their own journey and research. Much of what these scholars were sharing you don’t see in traditional academic methodology books."
Attendees also participated in a walk around campus to visit sites on campus that had connections to Native American history or stories. The walk started at the Hesburgh Center Auditorium, wound through the cemetery on campus, down Notre Dame Avenue, past Rockne and Walsh Halls, and included a pause at the Log Chapel.
The walk ended in the Main Building with an examination of several 19th century murals highlighting Christopher Columbus. The depiction of Columbus arriving in the Americas includes stereotypical and racist images of Native American and African American people. In January 2019, the University announced a plan to cover the murals and display reproductions of the images in a separate location on campus where additional historical context would be provided.
To date, the murals are still on display.
Following the walk, attendees participated in two panel discussions focused on the concept of Creative Represencing. Panelists included Native American scholars who are contributing a chapter to an issue of the journal, Borderlands, that De Leon is guest editing.
"My research methodology focuses on relationships in both creating knowledge and sharing knowledge. Folks came to share their chapters with each other so that we can give each other feedback and be in relationship as we share knowledge," said De Leon.
The day's events concluded with a time of poetry and music in the Hagerty Family Cafe in the Duncan Student Center on campus. The session was led by Jason Wesaw, a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
"I was able to share a little bit about our songs and ceremonies, and how that aspect of our life is so vital. It was important for trying to help younger people understand how an ancient culture is still pertinent in today’s society. I hope this event and the work Justin is doing will be part of a bigger ongoing dialogue within the university," said Wesaw.
De Leon also hopes that this event will serve as part of ongoing conversations and gatherings on campus.
"There’s a large symbolic significance to having panels at this University that are majority Native or indigenous participants, especially given the fraught history of research and Native people and Notre Dame and Native people. We showed indigenous academics with comprehensive research projects and who are engaging in academic settings in a meaningful, substantive way. It's very important at an institution like this to be presenting a deeper depiction of Native people in academic spaces."
The event was co-sponsored by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Multicultural Student Center and Services, and Native Initiatives at Notre Dame.