- Details
- By Levi Rickert
A collection of papers donated by Dr. Nancy Marie Mithlo (Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe) ’85—Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) alum, former IAIA Professor, and former IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) acting director—have been processed recently and are now available as the Nancy Marie Mithlo Papers (IAIAMS032) at the IAIA Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts (RCCNA), which opened its archives to researchers this past summer.
With decades of experience as an academic, published author, and curator, Dr. Mithlo is a formidable intellectual force in the Native art world and beyond. Dr. Mithlo is currently a professor in the department of gender studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and formerly taught at the California Institute of the Arts, Occidental College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Smith College, Santa Fe Community College, the University of New Mexico, and the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her extensive writings include articles for academic journals and art magazines, art reviews, books, conference presentations, exhibition catalog essays, and more.
“The students, staff, and faculty at IAIA are a unique creative force,” Dr. Mithlo said. “Their production, documentation, and dissemination of Indigenous aesthetic cultural works over the past six decades represent the very heartbeat of Native North America. It has been an honor to have called IAIA my academic home since my student days in 1985. My friendships at IAIA and MoCNA continue to inform my research and writing, providing inspiration and direction for my work.”
The Nancy Marie Mithlo Papers are housed in 83 manuscript cases at the IAIA Archives, encompassing the early part of Dr. Mithlo’s career from her time at IAIA as an undergraduate in 1985-1986 until 2009. Subjects include her coursework and theses, various IAIA/MoCNA projects and exhibitions, articles, speeches, publications, and other miscellaneous records.
More Stories Like This
Mackie Moore (Cherokee) Named Interim President of Haskell Indian Nations UniversityMohawk Students File Legal Suit Over Changes Impacting Access to Federal Financial Aid
Trump Administration Proposes Deep Cuts to Tribal College Funding, Threatening Their Survival
USU Researchers Find Relationship Building, Local Cultural Knowledge Key for Indigenous Learners
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Brings Traditional Dance and Cultural Learning to 450 Students This Spring
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
