Amidst the exciting and often volatile civil rights
struggle, American Indian Studies emerged as an academic answer to
a number of issues facing a society with an increasing awareness
of contemporary American Indians. Some of these issues included a
lack of adequate information on and knowledge about American Indians,
a need for models or approaches that focused on issues framed by Native
American history, culture, and sovereignty, and a need for public
institutions of higher education to serve Indian communities.
The
Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul were at the heart of this
when American Indian Studies began to emerge in the late 1960s.
In fact the first department of American Indian Studies was founded
at the University of Minnesota in 1969. Along with the founding
of the American Indian Movement in 1968 and the first National Indian
Education Association Conference in 1969, the Twin Cities served
as a catalyst for activism and a model for change for the rest of
the country.
Honoring the spirit of the activist 1960s and 1970s, American
Indian Studies at Augsburg is dynamic, multi-cultural, interdisciplinary,
and involved in the community! We are unique among other American
Indian Studies programs in offering service learning courses
and
internships that bring students together with community organizations,
programs, events, and issues.
Initially
the program started in 1978 with the establishment of the American
Indian Student Services office and courses in Interdisciplinary
Studies and History. Over the next twelve years interdisciplinary
courses were added that expanded the cultural and social scope of
the program. These courses linked with other Departments and Programs
including, Art, English, Social Work, Religion, and Interdisciplinary
Studies. The College approved an American Indian Studies Minor in
1990, a Major in 2001, and Departmental status in 2006. Our majors
are a mix of Day and Weekend College and come from Augsburg as well
as the other ACTC colleges. Today we have increased our course offerings
and cultural experience programs to reflect our growth and commitment
to American Indian Studies. Each semester we offer day emersion
trips, special guest speakers, internship opportunities, and a Native
American Film Series.
