What does it mean to be Indigenous? Why do some ethnic minorities in the world embrace this concept, while others refuse to describe themselves as such? How are identities tied in with linguistic practices, and what is the significance of more than 3,000 languages worldwide being on the brink of extinction? The Global Indigenous Studies Network (GISN) at Indiana University is here to explore these questions.
The future is looking bright for the Global Indigenous Studies Network. GISN is dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities, individuals, and allies by providing essential resources, fostering successful partnerships and collaborations, and highlighting impactful research and advocacy endeavors around the globe. Visit our Mission Statement page to learn more.
Recognizing the unique contexts of all cultures and Indigenous identities, the network will examine local practices and needs within a globalizing world and discuss the role and possibilities of Indigenous Studies for the future.
The Penn Language Center and the Quechua Language and Culture Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Global Indigenous Studies Network within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, invite proposals for Panels, Individual Papers, Round Table Discussions, Interactive Workshops and Poster Sessions to be presented at the inaugural Glocal Conference on Quechua Languages and Cultures that will take place virtually on February 26-27, 2026.
GISN is excited to announce the second Conference on Global Indigenous Studies will take place in 2026!
This convening of CGIS will take place online November 13-15, 2026 via Zoom. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements and further details for CGIS 2026.
The Global Indigenous Studies Network is proud to be affiliated with UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL). This decade, spanning 2022-2032, was dedicated to Indigenous language efforts around the globe by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 "to draw global attention on the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion," (unesco.org).
UNESCO's IDIL Global Community has now reached over 4,000 organizations and individuals, with over 2,000 events and activities around the world, including the upcoming Inaugural Conference on Global Indigenous Studies (CGIS), organized by GISN.
Serafín M. Coronel-Molina, Head Coordinator of the Global Indigenous Studies Network (GISN) within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University, has been appointed as an Expert Member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ad-hoc Group 3: Recognition, Status, and Implementation of Policy for Indigenous Languages. This group is tasked with mapping the recognition and status of Indigenous languages within language policies and analyzing how these policies are being implemented. The Ad-hoc Group operates as part of the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032). Continue Reading
We wish to acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities native to this region and recognize that Indiana University Bloomington is built on Indigenous homelands and resources. We recognize the myaamiaki, Lënape, Bodwéwadmik, and saawanwa people as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land. For more information, please visit the IU First Nations Educational & Cultural Center.
HAMILTON LUGAR SCHOOLBLOOMINGTON
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