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American Indian & Indigenous Studies

American Indian and Indigenous Studies

We offer numerous courses each semester that range in content and engage various departments across campus. Taught by dedicated faculty that bring a high quality of scholarship to American Indian and Indigenous Studies, we urge all students to take at least one American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) course during their Cornell career. A minor in AIIS is available to both graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about Indigenous communities, experiences and issues or who want to enrich the research they are already doing.

Academics

Minors in American Indian & Indigenous Studies

An academic minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) will immerse you in scholarship grounded in ethical research practices guided by community priorities. Our minor is available to undergraduate students in any college and to graduate students in any field at Cornell.

Read more about the undergraduate minor and graduate minor.

Undergraduate Minor

Classes on American Indian & Indigenous Studies

We are proud to offer courses every semester that connect Indigenous studies to departments throughout Cornell. If you are interested in fields such as art, art history, anthropology, archaeology, law, linguistics, literature or natural resources, we have a course for you! Our courses are taught by expert faculty who bring high quality scholarship to American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

Explore the AIIS course roster

Academic Funding

Due to our commitment to research relating to the field of Indigenous studies, we offer our students many opportunities, including funding for research, travel and enrichment, plus access to a huge library of resources all year long. We are also proud to support qualified students' applications to prestigious scholarship and internship programs.

Learn more about funding opportunities

Meet our faculty

The expertise of American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) faculty spans multiple fields, including anthropology, archaeology, art, art history, fiber science, history, literature, law, and natural resources, enabling students to develop programs that address their specific interests. Faculty with specific research expertise in Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) studies and Indigenous issues globally further broaden opportunities for study. Meet all our AIIS and affiliated faculty. 

Jolene Rickard
Jolene Rickard

Associate Professor, History of Art and Visual Studies, American Studies Program, American Indian and Indigenous Studies

Jolene Rickard
  • jkr33 [at] cornell.edu
Headshot photograph of man in a dark blazer wearing glasses.
Troy Richardson

Program Director

American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program

Associate Professor, Philosophy of Education

American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program

Troy Richardson
Michael Charles Profile Picture
Michael Charles

Cornell Provost’s New Faculty Fellow and Assistant Professor

Biological and Environmental Engineering

Michael Charles
  • mtc58 [at] cornell.edu

Research

The American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP) is committed to fostering the next generation of Indigenous scholars and leaders. Being part of AIISP at Cornell connects you with leadership opportunities through research and community involvement.

Explore research opportunities
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Learn more about AIIS at Cornell