Living Indigeneity: Centering Critical Reflections, Epistemologies, and Reclamation for Diasporic Indigenous Communities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 7:45 am

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

This symposium explores how existing research imposes ideologies that are not fully relevant to
the complex lived experiences of diasporic Indigenous Peoples. Through three conceptual, interdisciplinary papers, our session spotlights Indigenous-based frameworks like Indigenous peoplehood, Critical Latinx Indigeneities, decolonizing methodologies, and pueblo-based epistemologies to better situate how Indigenous people negotiate their Indigeneity in diaspora, including transborder experiences, intergenerational spaces, and complex identities. As scholars who identify and/or collaborate with diasporic Indigenous communities across the U.S. and Mexico, we highlight the need to use critical frameworks and methodologies to counter the epistemic erasure diasporic Indigenous people face in educational research. We hope to lead scholars to use Indigenous epistemologies that are relevant to their communities in practice and research.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education / Division G - Section 5: Inquiry, Transformation, and Communities

Chair

• Melissa Mesinas, Whittier College

Papers

• Contending with Diasporic Indigeneities - David W. Barillas Chón, University of Northern Colorado

• Living Indigeneity: Incorporating Indigenous epistemologies in identity and learning research - Saskias Casanova, University of California - Santa Cruz; Melissa Mesinas, Whittier College

• Teaching Across Tensions: Xicanx-Indigenous Solidarities and the Stakes of Reclamation - Gabriela Kovats Sanchez, San Diego Mesa College; Velma Calvario Tlahuancapa, San Diego City College

Session Organizer

• Melissa Mesinas, Whittier College

Discussant

• Luis Urrieta, University of Texas at Austin