The University of New Mexico hosts the 20th annual meeting of the American Indian Studies Association conference set for Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 6 through 8 in the UNM Student Union Building.

Twenty years ago, Elizabeth Cook-Lynn wrote, “the challenge today is to remember that the focus of Native American Studies was in the beginning an attempt to create a mechanism in defense of the indigenous principles of sovereignty and nationhood.”

Today, that challenge continues to define American Indian/Native American Studies, and guide emerging scholarship from the discipline.

The 20th annual conference will explore and initiate discussions and applications of indigenous sovereignty and nationhood. Topics include, but are not exclusive to language revitalization, cultural and ancestral knowledge, traditional and contemporary art, oral and written histories and literatures, land and the environment, governance, education and activism.

To register for the conference, visit the website. To see a list of speakers and schedule, visit Conference Agenda.

In addition, there will be a pre-conference film screening of “More Than a Word” on Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom C. Following the film screening, there will be a panel discussion and reception.

For more information, contact Jennifer Denetdale, IFAIR director, via email jdenet@unm.edu, or Delia Halona, UNM Native American Studies, (505) 277-3931; via email deliak@unm.edu or Majel Boxer at boxer_m@fortlewis.edu.