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History

Donna L. Akers

Donna L. Akers

Associate Professor of History and Ethnic Studies

Contact Information:


642 Oldfather Hall

Department of History
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
Phone: (402) 617-6378
Fax: (402) 472-8839
E-mail: email address


Joined the Department:

August 2005

In the thirteen years of my academic career, I have been the director of the Native American Studies Program at Cal State, Northridge, Assistant Professor of History at Purdue University, and Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Prior to my academic career, I was a successful marketing executive in the private sector for roughly 15 years.

My primary research area is 19th century Native American history and culture, global indigenous peoples, and US colonialism. I employ critical race theory using an indigenous paradigm informed by decolonization methodology.

My publications include two books, several articles and book chapters, and numerous book reviews.

I have two book projects underway:

The first of these projects is entitled Grandma Was an Indian Princess, is a work on Native American women in Indian Territory in the 19th century, which explores the intersection of race, tribalism, and gender relations through the lens of five Native women of mixed heritage whose experiences are illuminated by a unique collection of their letters which document their daily lives.

The second is Harvest of Blood: Settler Colonialism in the United States which looks at US 'Indian' policy, military warfare, settler invasions, Indian 'Removal,' the reservation system, and other facets of US colonialism and its effects on Native peoples. I argue that the ideology of Manifest Destiny, supported by the US legal system's exclusion of Indigenous peoples, and Americans beliefs about racial superiority resulted in physical and cultural destruction of Native people that fits the UN definition of genocide.

I have been involved in continual service to my tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Native peoples of Indiana and Nebraska, and to regional and national Native organizations. I have also been active in global Indigenous organizations and have presented at dozens of national and international conferences.


Expertise:

  • Native American
  • Women
  • North American West
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Colonialism and Decolonization