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Seminar on the challenges of Native American studies

In May 2004, more than one hundred researchers of Native North Americans came from all over Europe, Canada and the US to meet in the historic Oude Begijnhof (beguinage) of Leuven, a charming university city in Belgium. The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the American Indian Workshop (AIW) and was celebrated with a Festschrift: "The challenges of Native American studies" (Saunders and Zuyderhoudt 2004, Leuven University Press) containing a collection of papers.

One major question is who is to represent Native Americans in museums, research and the media and who is to define the topics and next steps in this field of inquiry; non-indigenous or Native American experts? It has been claimed that unequal power balances and political issues hinder true dialogues. In contrast, other scientists have reasoned that a true collaboration between Native Americans and scholars from outside their communities is the best and perhaps only way to arrive at balanced and multi-vocal debates on the past and present of Native North Americans. Both the conference and the book provided a forum for a wide range of views.

The conference, organised by professor Barbara Saunders from Leuven University and Lea Zuyderhoudt from Leiden University, brought researchers together in a series of interdisciplinary panels. Discussions involved the ways Native Americans present themselves and are represented in literature, academia, museums and the media in Canada and the US. Presentations included the experiences of First Nations teachers such as Sven Haakanson, who is working with youth and museums on Kodiak Island. Canadian speakers ranged from researchers and museum specialists such as Ruth Phillips to performers such as Tamara (actress/singer/songwriter) and Jennifer (actress/filmmaker/producer) Podemski. The Podemski sisters are well known for their representations of modern Native American life in Canada. In addition to presenting at the conference they gave an enchanting musical performance together with professor musician Allan Ryan during the closing dinner. Thus the conference appropriately ended with a collaborative event, and by showing a part of Native American culture, as it is alive today.

Lea M. Zuyderhoudt M.A., Leiden University