WVU Native American Studies Program

09/18/2026

Please save the date!
On September 30th, the Native American Studies program is honored to host Dr. Cedric Woods for the Peace Tree Ceremony and Public Lecture. A citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and director of the Institute for New England Native American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Dr. Woods has professional and academic experience in public health, education, and tribal government.
The Peace Tree Ceremony will be held between 11:30-12:30 at the white pine near Martin Hall. At this ceremony, Dr. Woods will share some remarks on the theme of peace, broadly construed. Later that evening, from 6:30-7:45, Dr. Woods will provide a Public Lecture at Gluck Theater followed by Q&A.

08/12/2026

In just a few months, Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe) could become the first Native woman to serve in the US Senate.

UPDATED: If elected this fall, the White Earth citizen will be the first ever Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate

07/01/2026

Before firing up the grill or lighting the fireworks this weekend, open the links in the comments below or check out these Indigenous-produced podcasts featuring Native American experiences and perspectives, including views on "America 250." Native Nations of Turtle Island existed for many centuries before the United States was formed (since Time Immemorial) and celebrate their strong histories and cultures every day. Native Nations are not a monolith and international history, as always, is complex.

Podcasts provide an invaluable medium for sharing stories, culture, and knowledge, making them especially beneficial for celebrating Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Indigenous media platforms provide spaces for Native voices to be heard, allowing individuals to share their unique e...

05/05/2026

It's prom season...

05/05/2026

Thanks to NAS student volunteers Mia and Mary Ella and everyone who stopped by our table today, on National MMIW/MMIP Awareness Day.

04/23/2026

NAS joined Saturday's Sexual Assault Awareness Month "Walking with Survivors" march to advocate for an end to sexual assault and violence--thanks to organizers with the RDVIC (R**e & Domestic Violence Information Center). The NAS Program's mission includes supporting the safety and wellbeing of Native people and increasing awareness of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons movement. We'll have an information table in the WVU Mountainlair Student Union from 11am-2pm on Tuesday, May 5th, National MMIW Day. Stop by to say hello to our NAS student volunteers and learn how you can be a strong ally. (Grateful for alum Sinead Hunt's terrific poster.) Check out the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to learn how you can receive help if needed, and advocate for others as well: https://www.niwrc.org/resources/special-collection/culturalcomp-humility-allies

04/23/2026

Happy to have so many bright young NAS students learning more about sovereignty, treaty rights, and tribal law and policy this semester, including during our visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the US Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. They'll no doubt go on to do great work in their chosen fields of law, social work, healthcare, and advocacy! Many thanks to my faculty colleague, Christopher Chaney for teaching this important NAS class with more than 20 students enrolled:https://nas.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff/christopher-chaney

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

It was an honor and a privilege to host WVU Native American Studies 2026 Elder-in-Residence Mike Williams, Sr. (Yup'ik, Akiak, Alaska), a Native Rights Leader and 15-time Iditarod musher. His free, public presentation "Land, Water, Subsistence: Native Alaskan Sovereignty and Stewardship" garnered an appreciative audience of ~130. He also met with numerous classes and student groups throughout the week. Wonderful that his wife, Maggie Williams, retired educator, could be with us as well! Mr. Williams's visit provided a rare opportunity for the WVU Community to learn firsthand about critical issues impacting Alaska Native communities. These special guests were also able to take in some West Virginia sites and activities throughout the week!