Created in 1977, the University of North Dakota Department of Indian Studies is the only academic unit in the state of North Dakota offering a major in American Indian / Native American Studies.

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department awards a major and minor in Indian Studies leading to a bachelor of arts degree in Indian Studies. Students who want to graduate with a major or minor in Indian Studies take courses on historic and contemporary Native American societies. They also explore theoretical concepts pertaining to these indigenous societies, and in comparison to the more dominant societies in North America.

Knowledge of indigenous societies should be part of any American and Canadian curriculum, not only because without it, an understanding of these nations' history is impossible, but also because aboriginal nations will play an increasingly important role in North American societies. A detailed, theoretically grounded, and practical knowledge of cultures, societies, and issues such as federal law, language, health care, and religion is therefore an important asset not only for personal development, but also for employment in a variety of jobs.

The department has created a curriculum that serves both, majors and minors and also students - undergraduates as well as graduate students - from other departments who want to gain specific knowledge about how their fields relate to indigenous peoples and their situations.

All of the faculty are also members of the graduate faculty, so that they can advise graduate students in other disciplines who are working on specific Indian-related research.

In the realm of our efforts to integrate Canadian perspectives into our curriculum, we are excited to announce the newly established graduate program in Metis Studies, in collaboration with the College Universitaire de Saint Boniface in Winnipeg. This program offers a Graduate Fellowship opportunity.

Indian Studies at the University of North Dakota are taught at an interdisciplinary academic department. Students have the opportunity to discuss American Indian issues from the perspective of history, English literature, and cultural anthropology. They also have the chance to further their studies by participating in several other American Indian-related academic programs on the UND campus, such as the Northern Plains Indian Law Center or the Native Media Center.

The Department is active in the community, and interested students have founded the Indian Studies Association, a student organization for everybody interested in Native American issues.

We have high academic standards and make time to meet with students to help them reach their goals.

If you would like to know more about the Department of Indian Studies, please contact us directly.

If you want to learn more about educational offers for Native American students at UND, access the American Indian Viewbook, an overview of opportunities for American Indian students at UND.