About the Conference
Today, borders and binaries often shape how we see and move through the world. They appear in nearly every facet of life, from issues of governance, geography, climate change, education, and more. The literal and metaphorical boundaries that shape our worlds are complex and everchanging — they sometimes have the power to unite and strengthen; and, at the same time, their enforcement can wield the power to violently erase, divide, flatten, and silence.
Though themselves intangible, borders and binaries are often placed on and across the very real and the very tangible – land, water, people, and more – resulting in material consequences that can be felt for generations. Their existence also affects how we understand our relationships to place, time, and one another.
Native peoples, along with our knowledge, stories, and more-than-human relatives, have existed beyond these modern-day borders and binaries since time immemorial, traversing and trading across land and waterways in relationship with one another. This continues today in the ways that we make, find, and defend the “in-between” spaces that don’t fit neatly within settler colonial frameworks, whether that be in regard to our homelands, our identities, or our relationships. Though many borders and binaries feel longstanding and permanent, many have only been formed and enforced recently. We’ve existed before these borders and binaries, and we will exist after them.
For the 10th Annual Urban Native Education Conference, we gather under the theme Beyond Borders & Binaries.
Through the exchange of strategies, tools, and research for Native American education in urban communities, our goal is for attendees to engage in meaningful discourse and come away feeling hopeful and inspired by thought-provoking ideas shared from our collective community. And then, like many of our ancestors who traversed lands and waterways from one camp to another, we want attendees to respectfully steward their newly gained knowledge home to share with their communities.
Location:
Parkes Hall
Northwestern University
1870 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
The venue is ADA accessible and easily reached by public transportation.
Schedule at a Glance:
9:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast
9:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:45 AM – Concurrent Session A
12:00 PM – Lunch & Keynote
1:15 PM – Concurrent Session B
2:45 PM – Concurrent Session C
4:00 PM – Closing
Who Should Attend
This gathering is open to all who are engaged in or connected to Indigenous education, including:
- Native American and Indigenous community members
- Educators, administrators, and program staff
- Knowledge keepers and scholars
- Students and youth
- Helpers, organizers, and advocates
- Community-based organizations and institutions
What to Expect
- Meaningful conversations grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems
- Exchange of strategies, tools, and experiences in urban Native education
- Space for reflection, relationship-building, and collective imagining
Child Care & Family Support
On-site child care will be available during conference hours, with the exception of breakfast and lunch. Pre-registration for child care is required. See Registration Form.
Registration
Free Registration Required
On-site registration is available. However, advance registration is encouraged.
[Register Here]
Become a volunteer
Join hands with us to create positive change, foster understanding, and leave an indelible impact. Together, we can build bridges, share wisdom, and celebrate the spirit of unity. Come, be a part of something truly special!
Become a sponsor
Let’s join forces and make a meaningful difference, all while fostering a spirit of unity and growth. Ready to embark on this inspiring journey with us? We’d be honored to have you on board!
