When Waters Rise and Rocks Speak: An Analysis of Indigenous Research Credential Theft by an Ally

Abstract

Abstract:This creative nonfiction piece addresses hegemonic practices of White supremacy and normalized ignorance about Indigenous cultures in academia, which allows non-Native "allies" to simultaneously support Native scholars while delegitimizing their credentials and knowledges when such support infringes on White academic superiority. Focusing on the story of a junior Navajo Native American Studies (NAS) professor who returned to teach at a tribal college, this article highlights offensives by a non-Native colleague in the areas of epistemological imperialism, cultural and academic gaslighting and, ultimately, credential theft. As the story reveals, silencing of the NAS scholar is broken through with the writing of this paper to reveal: (1) the purpose and powers of Indigenous research at a tribal institute; (2) the influence of Native and NAS scholar networks to combat White supremist micro- and macroaggressions found within academia; (3) the necessity of honest collaborations between Native scholars and non-Native allies during Indigenous curriculum designs, implementations and transformations; and (4) the conception of a NAS programs within tribal colleges and universities to concurrently strengthen academic rigor while dismantling academic hegemony.