CISSA Inaugural Conference


Held April 14 - 15, 2023 at University of California, Santa Cruz

In our first annual conference, we sought to reimagine what a conference can be, emphasizing the social, the collective, the dialogical, and the relational. CISSA's conference discussions at this event were an opportunity for all attendees to participate in talking story together so that we could envision and grow our organization, scholarship, and partnerships in a good way. 

Please see below the schedule and videos from the event, including a welcome by Amah Mutsun Chairman Valentin Lopez.

Inaugural Conference Videos

Session 1:
Welcome with Amah Mutsun Chairman Valentin Lopez
​and CISSA announcements

Session 3:
Discussion 2 - The Future of California Indian Studies
​

Session 2:
Discussion 1 - Kinship and Being in Relation
​

Session 4:
Discussion 3 - California Indian Homelands and Land
​
Schedule of Events
9:30a — 11:00a
Welcome with Chairman Valentin Lopez and CISSA announcements 

11:00a — 12:30p 
Discussion 1: Kinship and Being in Relation 
     Mark Minch-de Leon (Susanville Indian Rancheria), UC Riverside
     Michelle Napoli (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria), Lesley University 
     Stephanie Lumsden (Hupa), UCLA
     Nicole Lim (Pomo), California Indian Museum and Cultural Center

1:30p — 3:00p
Discussion 2: The Future of California Indian Studies 
     Caitlin Keliiaa (Yerington Paiute & Washoe), UC Santa Cruz
     Joely Proudfit (Luiseño/Payómkawichum), Cal State University San Marcos
     ​Gabby Velasquez (North Fork Mono Rancheria), Cal State University San Bernardino
     Cutcha Risling Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, Karuk), Cal Poly Humboldt

3:00p — 4:30p
Discussion 3: California Indian Homelands and Land
     Kaitlin Reed (Yurok Tribe), Cal Poly Humboldt
     Tsim Schneider (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria), UC Santa Cruz
     Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe), San Diego State University
     Kimberly Johnson (Gabrieleño/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians), UC Davis

"Still Bad Indians"

10 Years Later Symposium

Held June 3, 2022 at University of California, Riverside

To honor Deborah A. Miranda’s groundbreaking and foundational California Indian text Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir, the California Indian Studies and Scholars Association (CISSA) held an event “Still Bad Indians: 10 Years Later Symposium” on June 3, 2022. This event took place at the University of California, Riverside. 

Please see below the schedule and videos from the event, including a keynote by Miranda herself and panel presentations from other CISSA members. 

Symposium Videos

Deborah Miranda

Mark Minch-de Leon

Cutcha Risling Baldy

William Bauer

Kat Whiteley

Yve Chavez

Stephanie Lumsden

Kaitlin Reed
Schedule of Events
10:00a — 10:30a
Welcome, Land Acknowledgement & Opening by Wallace Cleaves (Tongva),
Director of California Center for Native Nations 

10:30a — 11:00a 
Bad Indians Now & Forever 
     Mark Minch-de Leon (Susanville Indian Rancheria)
     Cutcha Risling Baldy (Hupa/Karuk/Yurok)

11:00a — 11:15a
BREAK

11:15a — 11:30a
Reading from Bad Indians 

11:30a — 12:30p
Panel#1 (Virtual): Bad Indians: California Indian Studies and the Archive 
     Moderator: Katie Keliiaa (Yerington Paiute/Washoe)
     Panelists: Kat Whiteley (Wiyot Descent), William Bauer
     ​(Wailacki/Konkow Round Valley Indian Tribes), Yve Chavez (Tongva)

12:30p — 1:30p
LUNCH

1:30p — 1:45p
Reading from Bad Indians by Melissa Leal (Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation)

1:45p — 2:45p
Panel #2 (Hybrid): Bad Indians: California Indian Studies and Settler Violence
     Moderator: Vanessa Esquivido (Nor Rel Muk Wintu)
     Panelists: Olivia Chilcote (San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians),
     Kaitlin Reed (Yurok/Hupa/Oneida), Stephanie Lumsden (Hupa)

2:45p — 3:00p
BREAK

3:00p — 4:30p
Keynote Talk (virtual) by Deborah Miranda (Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen
Nation/Santa Ynez Chumash)

4:45p — 5:15p
Closing - Cahuilla Bird Singers

7:30p — 8:30p
​Reading of the play “IYA: The Ex’celen Remember” inspired by Louise
Miranda-Ramirez (Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation Chairwoman)” and
​written by Luis xago Juárez