Native American Studies

Welcome to Native American Studies

Welcome to the Native American Studies (NAS) program in the Ethnic Studies Department at Sac State! NAS is an interdisciplinary academic field continuing a more than 50-year legacy of activist scholars educating students and the public about tribal sovereignty, cultures, and critically examining and contextualizing historical and contemporary lived experiences of Native peoples and nations. We follow in the footsteps of Native American intellectuals and students in the academy who gathered in 1970 at the Convocation of American Indian Scholars at Princeton University. Those in attendance at this milestone event maintained the intention of Native American Studies/American Indian Studies is defense of the land, tribal sovereignty, and Native American rights. In addition, the field recognizes the expertise and knowledges embedded in tribal cultural practices and the land. NAS is committed to building strong relationships with tribal nations as we work to fulfill our responsibility to tribal nations and peoples, through respectful partnerships, research, and consultation.

NAS promotes critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that are rooted in Native American knowledge systems and community involvement. Studying the diverse United States-based Native American experiences helps students comprehend the unique social, cultural, historical, legal, and political relationships between federal, tribal, and state governments. NAS academic excellence is rooted in educating all students and the public. NAS graduates contribute to the workforce, including preparation for leadership in tribal nations and organizations. Courses include community engagement with guest presentations, tribal based research, and service-learning.

Major Concentration and Minor

BA in Ethnic Studies (Native-American Studies)

Minor in Native American Studies

Wileety Native American College

Meet the Faculty

Amber Bill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Annette Reed, Ph.D.

Anthony Burris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Brian Baker, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair of Ethnic Studies

Erika Salinas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Rose Soza War Soldier, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Native American Studies

Native American Studies Advising

Please contact Dr. Rose, at rose.sozawarsoldier@csus.edu or call 916-278-4977 or visit Amador Hall 554C.

If you have a Native American Studies minor, download this checklist to track your course schedule!

Upcoming Events

California Indian Day, Friday, September 25^th at west steps of Capitol
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation scholarship-more information
28th annual American Indian Studies Association (AISA) conference at Sac State, Wednesday, February 3rd-Saturday, February 6th, 2027
- AISA 2027 Call for Proposals
2026 Change Maker Honoree - Annette Reed (Gala on October 13, 2026)

Native American Studies Courses

ETHN 49 Indigenous Futurisms & Horror
ETHN 53 Introduction to Native American Studies (GE: Area 6-A)
ETHN 54 Introduction to Tribal Leadership
ETHN 140 Native American Experience (GE: Social & Behavioral Sciences 4-A)
ETHN 142 Native American Tribal Governments (GE: Social & Behavioral Sciences 4-A)
ETHN 143 American Indians, Film and Popular Culture (GE: Humanities 3-B)
ETHN 145 Native Voice, Memory, and Biography (GE: Humanities 3-B & Writing Intensive Writing Requirement (WI)
ETHN 146 California Indian Studies (GE: Area 6)
ETHN 150 Native American Oral Tradition & Storytelling (GE: Humanities 3-B)
ETHN 151 Native American Women
ETHN 152 American Indians, Sovereignty and U.S. Laws
ETHN 154 Tribal Leadership

Campus Resources

Esak’timá Center

Wileety Native American College

Native American Faculty & Staff Council

Office of Tribal Affairs

We are currently in the process of developing a Sac State Native American Alumni Chapter! For information contact Dr. Amber Bill at Amber.Bill@csus.edu