What's Happening?
The American Philosophical Society (APS) has been awarded a $1,766,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. This funding will enhance the Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) within the APS's Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR).
The expanded NASI program will continue to offer predoctoral fellowships and undergraduate internships, broaden its Digital Knowledge Sharing workshops to locations beyond Philadelphia, and introduce new NASI Sabbatical Fellowships. This marks the third Mellon-funded NASI grant, reinforcing the APS's commitment to Indigenous studies and the documentation of Indigenous cultures and languages. The initiative aims to invest in researchers, train scholars, and strengthen ties with Indigenous communities and academics, making archival materials and programs more accessible.
Why It's Important?
This significant grant underscores a growing recognition of the importance of Native American and Indigenous studies, particularly as other funding sources for such research diminish. By expanding the NASI program, the APS is directly addressing a critical need for sustained investment in this academic field. The new sabbatical fellowships will provide crucial opportunities for scholars, fostering deeper research and knowledge production. Furthermore, extending Digital Knowledge Sharing workshops beyond Philadelphia will facilitate broader engagement with Indigenous communities across North America, enabling them to connect with and revitalize their cultural and linguistic heritage using archival materials. This initiative also highlights the enduring legacy of figures like Thomas Jefferson and Peter Stephen Du Ponceau, who championed the collection of Native American linguistic and cultural documentation.
What's Next?
With the new funding, the APS will implement the expanded NASI program, including the establishment of the NASI Sabbatical Fellowships. The Digital Knowledge Sharing workshops will begin to be held in various locations across North America, fostering direct engagement with Indigenous communities and scholars. The APS will continue to solicit applications for its fellowships and internships, aiming to reach a new generation of scholars and knowledge workers, many within their own communities. The long-term goal is to further invest in the people and communities where these historical materials hold the most significance, ensuring wider accessibility and continued scholarship in Native American and Indigenous studies.
Beyond the Headlines
This grant reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and rectifying historical underrepresentation and neglect in academic research concerning Indigenous peoples. By actively supporting Native American scholars and facilitating access to historical documents, the APS is contributing to the decolonization of knowledge and empowering Indigenous communities to reclaim and revitalize their heritage. The initiative also highlights the ethical responsibility of institutions holding vast collections of Indigenous materials to make them accessible and relevant to the communities from which they originated. This sustained investment can lead to a more inclusive and accurate understanding of American history and culture, fostering greater respect and collaboration between academic institutions and Indigenous nations.
