Audra Simpson, a professor of anthropology from Columbia University in the City of New York, ranks among today's top researchers of indigenous peoples. Between 21 and 23 October 2015, she will be paying a visit to the University of Lapland. Professor Simpson will be one of the keynote speakers at the annual conference of ETMU – Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration.
As a member of the Kahnawake Mohawk people, Professor Audra Simpson focuses her research on the politics of recognition as well as on formations of citizenship and nationhood, particularly from the viewpoint of the Kahnawake Mohawk community. Professor Simpson studies how indigenous membership is formulated amidst colonial and state impositions. She is known as an uncompromising thinker and debater, as well as an intellectual who stays faithful to her community. In her work she combines ethnographic data collection methods and theoretically challenging problem settings.
Her work
Mohawk Interruptus: Political Life Across the Borders of Settler States (Duke University Press, 2014) combines political theory and ethnographic research. Simpson has also co-edited the book
Theorizing Native Studies (Duke University Press, 2014) with Andrea Smith and contributed to several eminent academic publications concentrating on anthropology and indigenous research.
Professor Simpson's address at the ETMU 2015 conference takes place at the University of Lapland on Fri 23 October between 11:00 and 12:00 in Esko and Asko hall. The address is titled
We are Not Red Indians (We Might all Be Red Indians): Anticolonial Sovereignty Across the Borders of Time, Place and Sentiment. During her visit Simpson will also host a seminar for postgraduates concentrating on Sámi research.
Prior registration is required for the conference. It is no longer possible to register for the thesis seminar.
For the first time in its history, the annual ETMU conference will be arranged at the University of Lapland. The theme of the event is Mobile Roots – Rethinking Indigenous and Transnational Ties. It focuses on mobility, roots, and crossing of borders especially from the perspective of indigenous peoples. Along with the event, Rovaniemi will have the privilege to enjoy the presence of nearly a hundred Finnish and international researchers who have an interest in indigenous peoples, ethnic relations, and migration.
Further information:
Sanna Valkonen
Associate Professor of Sámi Research
University of Lapland
sanna.valkonen (at) ulapland.fi
Saara Koikkalainen
Doctor of Social Sciences
University of Lapland
saara.koikkalainen (at) ulapland.fi
Requests for interviews:
Rovaniemi–Lapland Congresses, University of Lapland Conference Office
Phone: +358 40 484 4462
congress (at) ulapland.fi
Programme of the ETMU 2015 conference
ULapland / Communications / SV