Newberry - McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies

The Newberry is hiring! We're looking to fill two new positions that will support the library's partnerships with tribal nations.

Both positions will support activities within a Mellon-funded implementation grant, “Expanding Indigenous Access and Stewardship at the Newberry Library” (2026-2030), which is a five-year community-driven initiative that centers Indigenous voices, builds lasting relationships, and creates accessible, sustainable pathways to Indigenous histories and knowledge. Building on a 2020–2023 Mellon-funded planning grant and larger institutional initiatives, the project will fund community-led research, digitization, and training—ensuring that American Indian and Alaska Native nations have greater access to and control over the presentation of historical materials that contain their histories and knowledge.

Learn more about the Mellon-funded implementation grant here: https://www.newberry.org/news/newberry-library-receives-4-million-grant

The Tribal Outreach Coordinator will coordinate and administer grant-related activities, assist with outreach to tribal nations, and support the McNickle Center's work as a meeting ground for research and collaboration with Native communities.

Learn more about the Tribal Outreach Coordinator role here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=6c69260d-b5d0-4a5e-a057-e89d9ce47ba1&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=570925&lang=en_US

The Materials and Metadata Coordinator will facilitate the digitization of materials from the Newberry's Indigenous Studies collection, enhance the metadata of Indigenous Studies materials under community guidance, and support the work of the Newberry's Digital Initiatives and Services department.

Learn more about the Materials and Metadata Coordinator role here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=6c69260d-b5d0-4a5e-a057-e89d9ce47ba1&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=570924&lang=en_US

Both positions are full-time, non-exempt positions that require regular onsite presence at the Newberry. Both positions are grant-funded with terms ending in December 2030.

We encourage you to apply and share this with your networks! You can read more about each role's responsibilities and apply through the Newberry's Career Center: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=6c69260d-b5d0-4a5e-a057-e89d9ce47ba1&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter

Mark your calendars for Northwestern University's 5th Annual Traditional Spring Powwow, hosted and organized by the the NU Native American and Indigenous Students Alliance!

Saturday, April 25
11am - 5pm
2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, 60208

The McNickle Center will have an information booth there, so feel free to stop by and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us on Saturday, March 14 for a staged reading of Arigon Starr's original play, "Super Indian," presented by Dancing Pony Productions!

Saturday, March 14
11am - 12pm
At the Newberry Library

Hubert Logan was an ordinary Reservation boy until he ate tainted commodity cheese infused with Rezium, a secret government food enrichment additive. Known as Super Indian, Hubert fights evil forces who would overtake the Reservation's resources and population. Assisted by his trusty sidekicks Mega Bear and Diogi, they fight crime the way they know how — with strength, smarts and humor.

Join us prior to the program to view a selection of Indigenous comic books held in the Newberry's collection. Items will be on display from 10:00am to 11:00am.

This program is free and open to all! Learn more and register: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/super-indian

One more week to apply to the 2026 NCAIS Summer Institute here at the Newberry!

Graduate students at NCAIS institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium) are invited to apply.

If you are interested in participating in this institute, please contact and apply with your institution’s NCAIS liaison directly.

Applications are due February 13.

Newberry Library Receives $4 Million Grant Funding will expand access to Indigenous collections, enable community-led research, and strengthen tribal partnerships.

The call for applications for the 2026 NCAIS Summer Institute is NOW OPEN!

All graduate students at NCAIS Institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium) are eligible to apply.

If you are interested in participating in this institute, please contact and apply with your institution’s NCAIS liaison directly.

Applications are due February 13.

The Call for Presenters for the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC)'s 10th Annual Urban Native Education Conference is now open!

Proposals are due on December 18.

This year's conference theme is "Beyond Borders and Binaries" and will take place on March 28, 2026 at Northwestern University.

CAICC invites Native American and Indigenous community leaders, knowledge keepers and scholars, students, educators, youth, administrators, helpers and staff of educational programs, organizations and institutions from Chicagoland and beyond, and allies to submit a proposal to the 10th Annual Urban Native Education Conference related to work and ideas that move us beyond borders and binaries.

Presentations should align with the conference theme, "Beyond Borders and Binaries." Submissions may highlight examples of learning environments that incorporate Indigenous pedagogies, foster leadership and community engagement, and/or implement policies and practices that promote the well-being of Native youth. You can learn more about the theme on the conference website: https://chicagoaicc.com/10th-annual-urban-native-education-conference/

Submit your proposal here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT_U7tOOugXyuJNOCH7rWJL3ZLBoH5i-_QTpvY4iQGl00wSA/viewform

IN ONE WEEK! Join us on December 2 for our McNickle Distinguished Conversation with members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.

eemamwiciki neehi kaakiihsitaatiiwaaci: 'They Awaken and Preserve it for Each Other'

Tuesday, December 2
6pm - 7pm CT
Hybrid - at the Newberry and on Zoom

This exciting conversation among representatives from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma will foreground why archives and ongoing relationships with archival institutions, like the Newberry, are essential to Native nations' cultural revitalization efforts. Starting with discussion about what defines cultural revitalization and why it's important, Nate Poyfair, Jared Nally, and Morgan Lippert will then share their perspectives on various Myaamia revitalization projects, including those focused on language, written and oral histories, and textiles, as well the establishment of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive.

The event is free and open to all! Learn more and register in advance: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/they-awaken-and-preserve

Apply for a 2026-27 NCAIS Fellowship! All applications are due January 3, 2026.

The Newberry Consortium in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (NCAIS) encourages applications for faculty and graduate student fellowships. These fellowships (residential and non-residential) support faculty and graduate students whose research aligns with the methodologies and core ethics of the field of Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS), namely: relationality, data sovereignty, reciprocity, and accountability to Indigenous communities. All applications are due January 3, 2026.

We offer three types of fellowships. These fellowships are open to graduate students and faculty from NCAIS institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium)

NCAIS Graduate Student Research Grants

Newberry Consortium in American Indian and Indigenous Studies Short-Term Graduate Student Research Grants provide one to two months of research support at any point during the year to graduate students from NCAIS member institutions working on projects related to American Indian and Indigenous Studies. NCAIS Graduate Student Research Grants can be used to fund any type of research, including in archives, libraries, and other institutions, as well as collaborative research with Native communities. Research trips may include time at the Newberry, but it is not required. The stipend is $3,000/month.

Apply Here: https://newberry.slideroom.com/ #/permalink/program/86777

NCAIS Faculty Long-Term Fellowship

The NCAIS Faculty Long-Term Fellowship supports NCAIS faculty members who are working on a project in American Indian and Indigenous Studies, with preference given to scholars at an early stage of their career. The stipend is $5,000/month for 4-9 months.
Fellows can be in continuous or intermittent residence at the Newberry or complete their fellowships entirely offsite, conducting research in existing digital collections or the collections of other institutions.

Fellowship recipients are required to be in residence at the Newberry the week of the annual NCAIS Graduate Student Conference, which is held on the second weekend of February each year. The fellow is expected to attend and engage with students as a mentor at the conference, as well as work with McNickle Center Staff prior to the conference to shape the event's keynote address.

Apply Here: https://newberry.slideroom.com/ #/permalink/program/87348

NCAIS Short-Term Faculty Fellowship

The NCAIS Short-Term Faculty Fellowship provides one month of support for research in residence at the Newberry to an NCAIS faculty member who is working on a project in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. The stipend is $5,000/month.

Apply Here: https://newberry.slideroom.com/ #/permalink/program/86778

Join us on December 2 for our McNickle Distinguished Conversation!

eemamwiciki neehi kaakiihsitaatiiwaaci: 'They Awaken and Preserve it for Each Other'
Tuesday, December 2
6pm - 7pm CT
Hybrid - at the Newberry and on Zoom

This exciting conversation among representatives from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma will foreground why archives and ongoing relationships with archival institutions, like the Newberry, are essential to Native nations' cultural revitalization efforts. Starting with discussion about what defines cultural revitalization and why it's important, Nate Poyfair, Jared Nally, and Morgan Lippert will then share their perspectives on various Myaamia revitalization projects, including those focused on language, written and oral histories, and textiles, as well the establishment of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive.

The event is free and open to all! Learn more and register in advance: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/they-awaken-and-preserve

One week left to apply to the 2026 NCAIS Spring Workshop taking place at the University of Minnesota!

All graduate students at NCAIS Institutions (https://www.newberry.org/research/research-centers/mcnickle-center/consortium) are eligible to apply.

If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please contact your institution’s NCAIS liaison directly.

Applications are due November 11.

Learn more: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/2026-ncais-graduate-workshop-in-research-methods