American Indian Studies Department SF State University
Share
The program focuses on North American Indian cultures, environmental concerns, genders and sexualities, histories, languages, laws, mixed-race, and music.
The Third World Liberation Strike of 1969 led to the establishment of the only College of Ethnic Studies in the United States. In that context, the beginnings of the Red Power Movement in the occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969-71 deeply informed the founding of the American Indian Studies Department. American Indians from the Mission District and American Indian students on campus, including
Richard Oakes (Mohawk), guided the development of the department's objectives and curriculum, hiring local community elders to teach courses in American history and culture. Their vision was based on a commitment to community participation and service -- from the community to campus and from the campus to the community -- towards the goal of facilitating American Indian self-determination through education. Today, the American Indian Studies Department's educational mission and objectives have a special responsibility to Native peoples of California and the United States. The program scope is focused on Natives of California, North American Indian cultures, environmental sustainability concerns, genders and sexualities, histories, languages, laws, mixed-race, and music with the aim of preparing students to work with rural and urban communities in California and throughout United States. Students learn to understand American Indians within an interdisciplinary and comparative curriculum, based in solid theoretical and applied frameworks, that balances classroom education with active community participatory learning.
New Student Orientation | Student Activities
Registration for Summer 2026 Orientation is now open! Register for Orientation! New Student Orientation prepares students, parents and supporters for a successful transition into San Francisco State University college life. By registering for courses, discovering tools for long-term success, lear...
Commencement | San Francisco State University
Parents, family and friends, join SF State in celebrating the Class of 2026 at the 125th Commencement on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Oracle Park.
05/07/2026
Please save the date!
04/29/2026
Welcome Gators! What to know about the total cost of Gator attendance...
Interested in what you can do with an American Indian Studies Degree? Check out...
College of Ethnic Studies | Career & Leadership Development
All Colleges College of Ethnic Studies ⭐ College of Health & Social Sciences Lam Family College of Business College of Liberal and Creative Arts Graduate College of Education College of Science and Engineering AFRICANA STUDIES AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES LATINA/LATINO STUDIE...
04/17/2026
Happening Today!!
04/16/2026
Happening today!!
Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in San Francisco?