November 13-15, 2026
To be held virtually via Zoom.
2026 Conference on Global Indigenous Studies

CGIS 2026 is a transdisciplinary event that will bring together national and international scholars, educators, practitioners, students, policy makers, activists, academic institutions, Indigenous organizations, grassroots organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The participants in this conference will be involved in a local and global dialogue and exchange of ideas, research, and experiences on the themes of the event.
Across the globe, ethnic minorities and Indigenous communities have consistently strived to protect their rich cultural heritages and linguistic nuances from the influences of colonial powers, expanding nation-states, and the homogenizing impact of globalization. This collective effort is increasingly recognized, highlighted by the initiation of UNESCO’s “Indigenous Languages Decade” (2022-2032). The imperative acknowledgment is that Indigenous languages, along with the intricate knowledge systems interwoven within them, stand as crucial pillars for preserving both biological and cultural pluralism.
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Call for Proposals
Interested in presenting at CGIS 2026? You can view the 2026 Call for Proposals and learn more about the themes for this year's event here: CGIS 2026 Call for Proposals
Deadline for receipt of proposals is March 31, 2026. We will begin accepting proposal submissions for CGIS 2026 soon.
Registration
This is a virtual event which will take place entirely online via Zoom. Participants will receive additional information and necessary links upon registration.
Registration for CGIS 2026 will open soon.
Registration Costs
Early Bird Registration: $60.00 (Before September 1, 2026)
Standard Registration: $80.00 (September 1 - November 15, 2026)
* Should you require any assistance with the registration process or are unable to pay the full cost to attend, please contact IUCONFS@iu.edu for additional help.
CGIS 2026 Program
The detailed program for CGIS 2026 will be released closer to the dates of the event once scheduling has been finalized.
2026 Keynote Speakers
Teresa L. McCarty
Distinguished Professor and George F. Kellner Chair of Education and Anthropology, and Faculty in American Indian Studies
University of California Los Angeles, USA
Armando Muyolema
President of AmawtayWasi
Intercultural University of Nationalities and Indigenous Peoples, Ecuador
Diego A. Tituaña Matango
Expert in Indigenous Diplomacy
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, USA
Aluki Kotierk
Nunavut Tuungavik President
Nunavut Tuungavik Inc, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Conference Support
Organizing Committee
Serafín M. Coronel-Molina (Chair), Indiana University
Emma Bonham, Indiana University
Elizabeth Konwest, Indiana University
Mengjie Lei, Indiana University
Sonia Manriquez, Indiana University
Academic Committee
Eduardo Brondizio, Indiana University
Quetzil Castañeda, Indiana University
Edward P. Dallis-Comentale, Indiana University
César Félix-Brasdefer, Indiana University
Heather K. Calloway, Indiana University
Michael Kaulana Ing, Indiana University
Javier F. León, Indiana University
Bárbaro Martínez-Ruiz, Indiana University
Morten Oxenboell, Indiana University
Anne Pyburn, Indiana University
Olga Rodríguez-Ulloa, Indiana University
Daniel Suslak, Indiana University
Lucia Stavig, Indiana University
Evelyne Washul, Indiana University
Indiana University Conferences
Elizabeth Mascharka, Indiana University
Melissa Kocias, Indiana University
Communications and Marketing
Linda Bollivar, Indiana University
Josh Marshall, Indiana University
Events and Technology Support
Heather Duemling, Indiana University
Ethan Hamilton, Indiana University
Tyler Maschino, Indiana University
Finance Support
Lori Fender, Indiana University
Amy Van Pelt, Indiana University
Sponsors and Collaborators
CGIS 2026 would not be possible without the help of our generous sponsors and collaborators:
UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages
The Second Conference on Global Indigenous Studies (CGIS 2026) will meet in recognition and celebration of the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL), 2022-2032.
"The proclamation of an International Decade is a key outcome of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, for which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lead global efforts." More information here.


