Our Mission

As Cornell University's American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP), our mission is to aid the development of new generations of educated Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who will contemplate, study and contribute to the building of Indigenous nations and communities on a global scale.

We are extradisciplinary.

AIISP boasts a unique multidisciplinary minor available to undergraduate and graduate students in all programs at Cornell. Developed by a diverse array of faculty across subjects from anthropology to fiber science to natural resources, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) minor allows you to explore the complex histories and contemporary situations of North American and other Indigenous communities. Further, AIISP courses incorporate community-approved dimensions of Indigenous knowledge, which typically are more holistic than Western disciplinary models for research. Beyond being interdisciplinary, AIIS coursework is extradisciplinary.

We support Indigenous students.

As a student support unit, AIISP continues to develop recruitment and retention practices to enable North American and other Indigenous students to complete their academic programs at Cornell and reach their educational goals. Along with a full-time student support specialist, our diverse faculty and staff provide unique opportunities for research, engagement and social connection throughout students' academic careers and beyond. Our program house, Akwe:kon, serves not only as a residence but also as a cultural and community center.

We provide student leadership opportunities.

As a cross-college program, we have experience and access to prestigious opportunities like the McNair Scholars Program, the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship and the Newberry Consortium in American Indian Studies. Along with the rich resources that come with the world-renowned Cornell network, we offer a peer mentoring program, community tutoring program, Leadership Development Spotlight Series, enrichment and experiential funding, student employment opportunities and encourage involvement with the many AIISP-affiliated student organizations.

We aid the autonomy and sustainability of Indigenous communities.

We continually work to build the intellectual foundation for the resurgence of Indigenous Nations and communities through scholarship and research. Our community outreach programs facilitate learning through community partnerships and a dialogue grounded in Indigenous culture.

Let's connect

American Indian & Indigenous Studies Program

450 Caldwell Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Email: aiisp [at] cornell.edu (aiisp[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Phone: (607) 255-6587
Fax: (607) 255-6246

Latest news

A book opening and pages flaring out.

News

Einhorn Center announces new Engaged Faculty Fellows

Twenty-five faculty and academic staff from nine Cornell colleges and units are Engaged Faculty Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year, with projects dedicated to advancing community-engaged learning at Cornell and within their respective fields.

  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Department of Communication
Robin Wall Kimmerer

News

Ecologist, MacArthur “genius grant” winner and bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer, who has written about Indigenous people’s relationship with the land, will visit campus on Nov. 1

  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
  • Department of Global Development
  • Environment
A male student writes Gayogohó:nǫˀ on a chalk board.

News

Four Cornell-funded projects are expanding efforts to preserve and highlight the Gayogohó:nǫˀ (Cayuga Nation) language and culture, in western New York and throughout the country.

  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
Michael Charles headshot

Spotlight

Academic focus: Computational and community-based sustainable solutions. Research summary: Broadly, I explore how computational models can help communities achieve their envisioned futures. My research is centered on designing sustainable...
  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Computational Biology
Steven Mana'oakamai Johnson wearing a yellow and white shirt standing with arms folded.

Spotlight

Academic focus: Ocean conservation and social-ecological systems. Research summary: I study the relationship between people and the ocean, ranging from Indigenous Pacific Islander communities traditionally managing coral reefs to geopolitical...
  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
  • Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Development Sociology

Support AIISP

To support AIISP, please submit the gift form following these instructions:

  1. Fill-in required information.
  2. On "gift designation," select College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
  3. On "other gift designation," type American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.