AIW 2026

03 - 06 November 2026

Survivance: Indigenous Futures, Indigenous Pasts

03 November [online session only]

04 - 06 November [in-person sessions only]

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Venue:

Le bâtiment des Philosophes
Boulevard des Philosophes 22
1204 Genève
Switzerland

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Organizer: Deborah Madsen

Email: deborah.madsen@unige.ch

Call for Papers [PDF Download]

Call for Papers 47th American Indian Workshop (AIW) Theme: Survivance: Indigenous Futures, Indigenous Pasts Date: 3 - 6 November 2026 Place: University of Geneva, Switzerland Organizer: Deborah Madsen Email: deborah.madsen@unige.ch Conference website: www.unige.ch/aiw We are pleased to announce that the 47th American Indian Workshop, “Survivance: Indigenous Futures, Indigenous Pasts,” will be hosted at University of Geneva, Switzerland, 3-6 November 2026. Through the lens gifted by Gerald Vizenor's concept of survivance, the conference seeks to explore the manifold ways in which Indigenous peoples imagine, negotiate, and enact futures that remain anchored in deep historical continuities, cultural memory, and Native presence. Across the globe, Indigenous communities are simultaneously preserving ancestral knowledge and crafting transformative futures: through language revitalization, climate-justice initiatives, digital sovereignty, literary and artistic experimentation, and political advocacy. By juxtaposing “futures” with “pasts,” in the context of vital Native inheritances, the conference foregrounds the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation that underpins the Indigenous legacy of self-determination both for today and tomorrow. Papers may engage, but are not restricted to, topics like: Futurist Imaginaries and Speculative Practices Memory and Memorialization Language Revitalization Digital Sovereignty Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship Governance, Law, and Self-Determination Legal Recognition in the US and Canada Health, Well-Being, and Sport Food and Foodways Education and Pedagogy Arts, Media, and Museums Youth, Activism, and Community Organizing Methodologies and Ethics Comparative and Transnational Perspectives Independent of the conference theme, the AIW always features a “current research” session in which scholars and students can present their most recent research; a Poster session for early-career scholars and doctoral students will also be available. The AIW 2026 will include, on Tuesday 3 November, a single "virtual" day comprised exclusive online presentations, which will be screened in an on-site lecture room for those who are present in Geneva. If necessary, to accommodate a high number of online presentations, a further virtual half-day on Friday 6 November will be scheduled. The remaining two days of the conference (Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November) will be in-person only with no virtual component. Hybrid panels are not possible. PROPOSALS Proposals for posters, individual papers (20 minutes), and pre-formed panels / roundtables (90 minutes) are invited. Poster and paper proposals should comprise an abstract of 250 words, 5 keywords, and a 100-word bio. Panel proposals should add a 250-word panel abstract. Proposals must state explicitly whether the paper is intended to be presented online or son. Pre-formed panels and roundtable sessions of 90 minutes are encouraged. Presentations will last 20 minutes and be followed by discussion of 5-10 minutes. Sessions of 90 minutes are planned. Proposals will be evaluated by the AIW Committee and accepted papers will be grouped into thematic sessions. To submit a proposal, please send a single file as an email attachment to: Deborah.Madsen@unige.ch DEADLINES Monday 13 April Submission of proposals Tuesday 5 May Notification of acceptance/rejection Tuesday 30 June Registration and payment of the conference fee (CHF 200.- tbc) Friday 31 July Publication of the final conference program