IDS 350SEM—Indigenous Political Thought

Indigenous political thought is a complex body of knowledge contained in our cosmologies, values, stories, and cultural practices, and passed down through generations of Indigenous elders who refuse to let us forget why we fight, and what we fight for. Today, Indigenous political thought has become a vibrant field of Indigenous-led scholarship, which offers powerful insights into the vibrant theoretical underpinnings of Indigenous mobilizations globally. After a primer on key concepts in Indigenous political thought (including sovereignty, epistemology, land, water, and kinships), this course then dives into the tricky waters of Indigenous Oceanic political thought. As anthropogenic climate change wreaks disproportionate devastation on Black, Indigenous and other frontline communities around the world, and as Indigenous Pacific Islanders continue to constitute the fastest-growing migrant population in the continental United States, this course focuses on how Indigenous Oceanic political thinkers navigate the complexities of the region, and the possibilities of our futures.