Colonized and Racist Indigenous Campus Tour

• In Event: Liberating Perspectives in Academia

Abstract

This paper explores the macro-structural aspects of college campuses and environments to understand how higher education institutions have created, maintained, and justified hostile campus climates against Indigenous students. It uncovers the embedded racist and genocidal values that are often cherished through dominant campus tours. This includes addressing how an incomplete understanding of history leads to centering oppressive values that disenfranchise Indigenous students in higher education. Through Power and Place (Deloria & Wildcat, 2001), this case study articulates the historical and contemporary aspects of space and place in higher education by centering critical Indigenous values in the assessment. The authors embark upon a virtual racist campus tour by rearticulating typical campus tour components: history, student life, academic life, and campus leadership.

Authors

• Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn, The University of New Mexico

• Chris A Nelson, University of Denver