Overview:
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has released the Charlene Teters Papers, a significant archival collection documenting the life, art, activism and educational career of the Spokane artist and IAIA alumna. Now available for research through the IAIA Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts Archives, the collection spans Teters’ decades of work in installation art, community organizing, higher education and advocacy for Indigenous rights and representation, including materials connected to the documentary In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports and national campaigns challenging Native mascots and racism in sports.
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has announced the public release of the Charlene Teters Papers, an archival collection documenting the life and career of Spokane artist, educator and activist Charlene Teters.
The collection is now available for research through the IAIA Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts’ (RCCNA) Archives.
The Teters Papers represent a significant acquisition for IAIA. Donated by Teters herself, the collection documents decades of her work in installation art, community organizing, activism and higher education.
Teters, a Spokane artist and IAIA alumna from the Class of 1986 and Artist-in-Residence in 2024, has played a major role in shaping national conversations about Native representation, cultural identity and racial justice.
The collection is organized into archival series covering Teters’ education, artistic practice, exhibitions, public speaking, activism, audiovisual materials, photographs and research files.
Together, the materials provide a comprehensive record of her creative work, advocacy for Indigenous rights and leadership in higher education.
The Teters Papers also include materials related to the award-winning documentary In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports by Jay Rosenstein, as well as records documenting national campaigns addressing Native mascots, racism in sports and Indigenous representation in public life.
“These papers are an invitation to future generations to know where we have been,” Teters said. “They offer a glimpse into a history of persistence and a belief that our voices [matter]. Our stories matter. I hope these archives [allow] that history to continue speaking.”
A Legacy at IAIA
Teters has maintained a long relationship with IAIA, serving the institution in several capacities throughout her career.
“Charlene has given so much to IAIA over the years, as a student, faculty member, dean, artist, and advocate,” said IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). “We are grateful that she chose IAIA as the home for her papers and that this collection adds another chapter to her long relationship with IAIA.”
The archives provide researchers with an opportunity to examine not only Teters’ artistic career but also the broader history of Native activism and advocacy surrounding representation in American society.
“The IAIA Archives is committed to responsibly stewarding the records of contemporary Indigenous artists, many of whom, like Charlene Teters, helped shape current art and public discourse,” said Ryan S. Flahive, IAIA archivist.
“Providing public access to this collection at RCCNA ensures that future generations of researchers, artists, and Indigenous communities can engage with the history of Native activism, artistic expression, and cultural leadership represented throughout these archives.”
The processing and public release of the Teters Papers are part of IAIA Archives’ continuing efforts to improve access to collections documenting the institution’s history and the broader Contemporary Native Art movement.
IAIA said the archives are working to increase the discoverability of its collections while honoring ethical stewardship and Indigenous cultural values.
Researchers interested in accessing the Charlene Teters Papers are encouraged to contact the IAIA Archives for information about research appointments, access procedures and related collections.
