BLOOMINGTON (Indiana, United States): The Global Indigenous Studies Network at Indiana University Bloomington will host the second Conference on Global Indigenous Studies (CGIS 2026) in virtual mode from November 13 to 15, 2026, bringing together scholars, educators, Indigenous organizations, policymakers, activists, and students from around the world.
The conference, to be hosted entirely online, is designed as a trans-disciplinary forum for dialogue on Indigenous cultures, knowledge systems, and languages. Early bird registrations can be made before October 1, 2026, while standard registrations can be made between October 1 and November 15, 2026. Registrations can be made here.
According to the conference outline, CGIS 2026 aims to facilitate exchange between academic institutions and Indigenous and grassroots organizations while addressing global challenges affecting Indigenous communities. The event is part of a broader initiative within Indiana University’s Global Indigenous Studies Network to expand interdisciplinary research and collaboration in Indigenous studies.
A central theme of CGIS 2026 is the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages and the knowledge systems embedded within them. Indigenous languages are increasingly recognized as critical to sustaining cultural diversity and ecological understanding. This perspective aligns with global efforts under UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), which seeks to draw attention to the endangerment of Indigenous languages and mobilize international support for their protection and revitalization.
Participants are expected to engage through panels, presentations, workshops, and discussions covering a range of disciplines, including education, anthropology, linguistics, policy studies, and Indigenous governance. The keynote speakers include Aluki Kotierk, Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ecuadorian diplomat Diego A. Tituaña Matango, educator and researcher Teresa L. McCarty of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Armando Muyolema, rector of Amawtay Wasi, the Intercultural University of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador. Their work spans Indigenous rights advocacy, language policy, education reform, and international diplomacy.
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