Native American and Indigenous Studies

  • Innovative Scholarship

  • Student Engagement

  • Public Engagement and Lectures

  • Celebrating Heritage

  • Community Gatherings

  • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Welcome to Brown University's Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative (NAISI), a cross-disciplinary initiative focused on teaching, research and engagement to increase understanding of the cultural traditions, histories, political experiences, and contemporary experiences and knowledges of Native American and Indigenous peoples.

Beginning in 2023, undergraduate students can declare a concentration in Critical Native American and Indigenous Studies. Learn more about the concentration, its focus and requirements on our website. 

NAISI currently includes administrative staff plus faculty affiliated with departments across the University, including, but not limited to, American Studies, History, Anthropology, Religion, Theatre Arts and Performance Studies, Cognitive Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Hispanic Studies, Environmental Studies, Science, Technology and Society, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, History of Art and Architecture, International and Public Affairs, Music, and Public Humanities. Courses offered by NAISI-affiliated faculty explore a wide array of topics connected to Native American and Indigenous peoples. We invite you to view the list of courses offered and the various interests of our affiliated faculty and follow our events calendar and social media (Instagram and Facebook) to stay connected.

View our brochure here.