Skip to Main Content

Inclusive Excellence California State University, Sacramento

Support Page Content

American Indian Studies Association Conference 2027

American Indian Studies Association and Wileety Native American College Logos

Swim Up the River” Original painting by Lyn Risling, Karuk, Yurok, and Hupa
Swim Up the River” Original painting by Lyn Risling, Karuk, Yurok, and Hupa

2027 Theme: Confluences: Stewarding Intersections of Sovereignty, Land, Water, and Culture

Graduate pre-Conference: Wednesday February 3, 2026
Conference: Thursday February 4 - Saturday February 6, 2026
Where: University Union

For nearly three decades, the American Indian Studies Association (AISA) has provided a space for scholars, educators, students, artists, and community leaders to gather, strengthen relationships, and advance the field of American Indian Studies. Traditionally, Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico have hosted AISA conferences, institutions that have helped shape the organization's rich history and enduring legacy.

The 28th AISA Annual Conference in 2027 marks an exciting, inclusive, and intentional chapter of relationships, community, and scholarship. AISA is honored to be welcomed to the land of the Nísem Péwinan, Nisenan, and Miwok peoples, and by the Wileety Native American College, a tribal leadership-based college and first of its kind in the state of California, located on the Sacramento State campus. This milestone reflects AISA's continued growth and our commitment to expanding partnerships, welcoming new voices, and strengthening Indigenous scholarship across regions and communities.

The 2027 theme, Confluences: Stewarding Intersections of Sovereignty, Land, Water, and Culture, asks participants to reflect on the places where stories, knowledge, communities, and responsibilities meet. Like the joining of rivers, Confluences recognizes the relationships that connect Indigenous peoples, lands, waters, cultures, languages, and sovereignty. AISA welcomes proposals that explore these intersections through Indigenous languages, research methods, teaching pedagogy, community engagement, environmental stewardship, governance, activism, music, media, and the arts.

As AISA gathers in Sacramento for the first time, celebrating the Association's history and future—honoring the foundations laid by those who came before us while embracing new partnerships and pathways forward. Let us gather to share, learn, build relationships—across our diverse positionalities and nations—as we explore Confluences: Stewarding Intersections of Sovereignty, Land, Water, and Culture.

Call for Proposals

Call for Proposals are Open!

Session Types:

Individual paper – A single paper submission. In paper sessions, authors present abbreviated versions of their papers. Four to five authors are grouped together to each present their papers, followed by audience discussion.

Panel – Submitted by organizer. A complete panel (3-5 panelists) should include a panel description or abstract, panel title, names of panelists, and a chair

Roundtable – An organized discussion with a moderator (or audience) posing questions to the 3-5 discussants.

Thinking Out Loud – Work or ideas in progress. This is an informal table presentation to share your ideas for future or ongoing research, or to talk them through with interested colleagues. Each table will have three to five researchers clustered around related topics, along with interested audience members who participate in the discussion.

Workshop – A workshop provides hands-on learning opportunities. Workshops should be interactive and allow time for audience members to practice and/or discuss concepts/ideas presented.

Film or Creative Performance – Presentation of a film or demonstration of a creative artistic performance.

Submit your conference proposal.

Registration

  • Faculty rate $200
  • University and Contingency Staff/Professionals $75
  • Graduate Students $75
  • The Pre-Conference is free but graduate students must pay to attend the full conference
  • No charge for elders, K-12 Educators, and undergraduate or high school students but we ask that you register

Register Now - Coming soon

Schedule

Annual AISA Graduate Pre-Conference

Feb 2027

TBD

Conference At-A-Glance

Feb 2027 - AISA Conference Day One

TBD

Feb 2027 - AISA Conference Day Two

TBD

Feb 2027 - AISA Conference Day Three

TBD

AISA Conference Program - Coming soon

Artist Acknowledgment

“Swim Up the River” Original painting by Lyn Risling will be used as the official artwork for the 28th AISA Annual Conference in 2027 and was generously provided by the artist.

Lyn Risling has been interested in art from an early age with influences from artists on both sides of her family including her mother and grandmother who were both illustrators and painters. Her art is strongly connected to the cultures of her paternal grandfather and grandmother, of the Karuk, Yurok, and Hupa peoples of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in Northern California. She received a BA in art from UC Davis and a teaching credential and Masters Degree from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. For more information about Lyn and her work visit: https://lynrisling.com/about-lyn-risling.html