Native & Indigenous Research Symposium

Overview

Howka (hello). The Native Resource Center (NRC) at San Diego State University invites proposals and participation in the 6th Annual Native & Indigenous Research & Arts Symposium (NIRAS), to be held Thursday, March 12, 2026, and Friday, March 13, 2026, at the SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. NIRAS is a convening that uplifts Native and Indigenous scholarship and creative practice across disciplines. The symposium centers Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies often marginalized in Western academic contexts and embraces a transnational understanding of Indigeneity that disrupts settler-imposed borders and affirms Indigenous experiences worldwide. In honor of the 2022 Native American Music and Dance Conference organized by Dr. Vince Whipple (Lakota/Diné), NIRAS continues to integrate the arts as a core dimension of the program, including visual and performance-based work by local and regional Indigenous artists.

Call for Proposals

We invite submissions from SDSU students and students beyond SDSU who are committed to advancing the sovereign identity and futures of Indigenous Peoples. Proposals may be scholarly, creative, or community-engaged. We welcome a range of formats, including but not limited to:

• Research papers and talks
• Short documentaries and digital stories
• Storytelling, theater, and performance
• Visual arts, dance, and music
• Other mediums that transmit Native and Indigenous epistemologies

Submissions should clearly articulate how the work centers Indigenous constructions of knowledge and reflects the relational and reciprocal nature of research.

Alignment With NRC Core Pillars

Proposals should connect with one or more of the NRC’s four core pillars:

• Decolonization & Sovereignty
• Truth, Education & Growth
• Indigenous Philosophies & Identity
• Health & Wellness

Important Dates, Presentation Format, and Schedule 

Important Dates:

• Proposal Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. PT
• Notification of Decision: By Friday, February 13, 2026 (end of day)

Presentation Format & Schedule:
In-Person Presentations:

• Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. PT
• Friday, March 13, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. PT

Location: SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center

Time Allocation: Standard presentation slots are 10 minutes. Presenters are encouraged to attend the symposium for its duration to support peer presenters and engage in discussion.

Submission Guidelines

• Provide a title; 150–250 word abstract; selected NRC pillar(s); format (paper, performance, film, etc.); and any technical needs.
• Indicate whether your submission is individual or part of a panel/performance group.
• Creative submissions should include links or brief samples where applicable.
• Following acceptance, presenters may be asked for additional details or minor revisions for program planning.

Contact
For questions, please contact the NRC Director, Chris Medellin, at [email protected].