Resistance, Resiliency, and Activism: Combating the Erasure of Indigeneity in Higher Education Through Counterstorytelling

• In Event: Learning Otherwise: Indigenous Resistance, Critical Methods, and the Power of Counterstory

Abstract

I can’t believe I forgot myself. I literally wrote the encyclopedia entry on Indigeneity in higher education, and I failed to mention queer, Indigenous peoples. -Author

In 2025, I was honored to write the encyclopedia entry for Indigeneity in higher education. As I attempted to cover an insanely complicated and diverse topic within a few pages, I ultimately failed to specifically mention queer Indigenous people. Inside my brain, I shouted, “We exist. I am right here.” This project seeks to combat the erasure of Indigeneity in higher education by highlighting the counterstories of our peoples. This research project will explore the complex intersections of Indigenous student, teacher identity, education, trauma, privilege, and opportunity using the CRT lens of counterstorytelling (Bell, 1992; 2005 & Delgado, 1990) and Indigenous studies (Harris, 2002). Preliminary findings offer suggestions to retain, recruit and support Indigenous peoples in higher education.

Author

• Dre Abeita, University of New Mexico