NAU Applied Indigenous Studies Department

Today we honor Arizona's 22 sovereign Tribal Nations on Arizona's Native American Day, and recommit to the belief that education rooted in Indigenous knowledge is the foundation of sovereignty.

At NAU's Department of Applied Indigenous Studies, we prepare Indigenous students from Arizona and across the nation to return home as leaders — in governance, law, environmental science, and cultural preservation. Your culture is not a barrier to your education. It is the reason for it.

Learn more: nau.edu/college-social-behavioral-sciences/department-applied-indigenous-studies/

Please join us in congratulating Amaya Pablo on receiving the Gold Axe Award from Northern Arizona University!

The Gold Axe Award is one of NAU's highest honors, presented to graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding scholarship and service. Amaya, your achievement is a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and dedication to your community.

We are incredibly proud of you and can't wait to see the amazing things ahead for you. Congratulations! 🎓💛💙

Are you a current or aspiring leader in an Indigenous community? Northern Arizona University's Department of Applied Indigenous Studies is offering a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Tribal Nation-Building, Leadership, Management, and Administration — and scholarships are currently available!

This fully online program prepares you to work with Indigenous Nations, organizations, and government agencies in areas like law & policy, economic development, financial management, Indigenous leadership, and tribal public administration.

The 18-credit certificate can also be applied toward NAU's Master of Public Administration degree — so your hard work keeps paying off.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://degree-search.nau.edu/degree/INDTRINBCT
📞 Call us: (928) 523-6219
📧 Email: [email protected]

Tag a future Indigenous leader who should see this! 👇

Join us this Thursday for NAU's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Awareness Day — a powerful day of remembrance, healing, and community action. 🤍

📅 Thursday, April 30, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
📍 Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), Building #14

This day is for our relatives. Come walk with us, listen, reflect, and stand together in solidarity.

Highlights include:
- Community Walk & Grounding Activity
- Keynote Lunch with Navao Nation Councilwoman Amber Kanazbah Crotty (Navajo) — sharing her powerful advocacy work around MMIR (12:30–1:30 PM | Lunch provided!)
- Justice for Our Relatives: Law, Policy & Accountability Panel
- Indigenous Q***r, Trans & Two-Spirit Panel
🎬 Screening of "She Cried That Day" — directed by Amanda Erickson (San Carlos Apache) — followed by an in-person conversation with the director (5:30 PM | Dinner provided!)

Every seat filled is a statement that we see our missing and murdered relatives. We do not forget them.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

If you didn't get a chance to join the "What You Need to Know About A.I. Data Centers on Southwest Native Lands" last Friday you can check out Diné C.A.R.E. YouTube Channel for a full recording of the presentations.

Gallery: Data center panel discussion at NAU Click here to view this item from http://www.azdailysun.com.

Join us today at 6:00 PM MST on NAU Campus and live-streaming on Diné C.A.R.E. for the important topic of "What You Need to Know About A.I. Data Centers on Southwest Native Lands"!

Join us along with Diné C.A.R.E. for a forum on "A.I. Data Centers on Southwest Native Lands" on March 20, 2026 from 6-8PM on NAU Campus.

Native communities in northern Arizona are being approached by corporate entities for permission to develop plans for Data Centers on their lands. This forum will present information about these projects, including who benefits, and what costs local communities might bear to their health, lands, water, cultures, and economies.

Five speakers and plenty of time for questions and discussion.
• Dr. Karen Jarratt˗Snider, Professor, Dept. of Applied Indigenous Studies, NAU
• Robyn Jackson, Executive Director, Diné C.A.R.E.
• Carrie Joseph, Director, Dept. of Natural Resources, Hopi Tribe
• Logan Moya, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, NAU
• Imran Mithu, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, Univ. of Arizona

Location:
NAU Campus, SBS West (Bldg 70) — Room 200
306 E. Pine Knoll Dr, Flagstaff AZ — Free Parking @ Lot P61

Event will be live streamed.

We are partnering up with NAU Applied Indigenous Studies Department for an educational forum on "What you need to know about A.I. Data Centers on southwest Native Lands" on March 20, 2026 from 6-8PM on NAU Campus.

▪️ What are the hidden social, health, environmental, and energy costs to nearby communities?
▪️ Who is behind these A.I. Data Centers?
▪️ What are the dangers that A.l. poses?
▪️ How might Native lands, water, health, and ways of life be impacted?

Five speakers will discuss their research and concerns. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

▪️ Dr. Karen Jarratt˗Snider, Professor, Dept. of Applied Indigenous Studies, NAU
▪️ Robyn Jackson, Executive Director, Diné C.A.R.E.
▪️ Dr. Carrie Joseph, Director, Dept. of Natural Resources, Hopi Tribe
▪️ Logan Moya, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, NAU
▪️ Imran Mithu, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, Univ. of Arizona

📍 Location:
NAU Campus, SBS West (Bldg 70) — Room 200
306 E. Pine Knoll Dr, Flagstaff AZ — Free Parking @ Lot P61

The event will be live-streamed.

Exciting news!

The Navajo-Hopi Observer showcased the NAU Department of Applied Indigenous Studies in their January 20, 2026 issue.

Stay tuned for more highlights and updates!

Here's the NHO front page for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026!
To subscribe, visit nhonews.com

Interested in Indigenous communities and archaeology? AIS/ANT 460 explores both cultural and academic relationships among Indigenous peoples and archaeologist.

New classes are here!

The AIS Department is connected with the Bilingual & Multicultural Education Department this upcoming Spring 2025 semester!