Following the recent adoption of a Native American Land Acknowledgment statement, TCU is now embarking on integrating it – as well as the campus’ Native American monument – into its curriculum.
In perfect timing with Native American Heritage Month, the Koehler Center for Instruction, Innovation and Engagement is hosting a Pedagogy in Practice workshop on the topic Nov. 14. TCU News spoke with Scott Langston, Native American nations and communities liaison, about how the NAIP efforts at TCU can make for a more robust learning experience for the campus community.
What can you tell us about where we are currently with TCU’s NAIP efforts?
TCU has made significant progress since 2015 when these efforts began. The official adoption of a land acknowledgment statement in 2021 marked a significant step in the university’s efforts to be more inclusive and develop respectful relationships with Native American and Indigenous communities. Other efforts include the monument unveiled in 2018, the Native American and Indigenous People’s Day Symposium – now in its sixth year – and the landing page that seeks to inform our campus community and provide resources.
How have we seen these make an impact at TCU?
The acknowledgment is increasingly being recited at campus events, posted on web pages and included in syllabi and emails. These are important steps in creating a welcoming space for Native American and Indigenous peoples, as well as raising our campus’ awareness. But, this is just a starting point. Each line of the acknowledgment is a pathway and invitation into topics and perspectives relevant to so many courses on our campus. We are constantly working to provide resources to help students, faculty and staff walk these paths and stimulate these conversations. The Koehler workshop will work with faculty to explore the possibilities for their courses. We are seeing the values and perspectives reflected in the acknowledgment and monument take root and grow, and that’s where the real impact takes place.
Can you share an example of a classroom integration that you’ve learned about?
The land acknowledgment, monument and many events held on campus are powerful teaching tools, even for courses not necessarily considered part of the Native American Studies discipline. Recently, I was contacted by a first-year student who was writing an ethnographic essay for one of her courses. As a prospective student, she had heard the land acknowledgment, and it sparked her interest. This reflects the possibilities that the acknowledgment can create and is a great example of how the Office of Admission, a faculty member and a student used it to enhance learning and create a more inclusive environment at TCU.
How do you see this working with academic DEI efforts in university curriculum?
Native Americans and Indigenous peoples – the original inhabitants of these lands – must be equally included and addressed in TCU’s DEI efforts. They are among the most underrepresented of the underrepresented peoples at TCU. At the same time, they are probably among the most misunderstood peoples in our nation due to widespread stereotypes and inaccurate information. TCU students will encounter these communities and individuals in many ways, especially after graduation. We must prepare all TCU students to interact with all people – including Native American and Indigenous peoples – in healthy and respectful ways. We must create a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment for Native American and Indigenous peoples at TCU.
What can faculty expect from the workshop?
It’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of how the acknowledgment and monument came into existence. This can lead to false assumptions being read into them. So, we’ll briefly explore the purpose and processes that led to their development. We will also hear from faculty who are integrating them into their classrooms. Then we’ll collaborate and work on ways that faculty can apply them in their individual courses. We’ll discuss how they can be used to advance values, provide entry points to topics and engage students. Some might benefit from reading the recently developed guide, Teaching with TCU’s Land Acknowledgment and Native American Monument, which can be found on the landing page. The workshop is not just for people who teach in Native American Studies.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We have made great progress but still have a long way to go. Much must be done to build an infrastructure that welcomes and supports Native American and Indigenous students, faculty and staff. We continue to learn about TCU’s history with Native American and Indigenous peoples, while coming to a better understanding of our university’s responsibilities and relationships with these communities.