Institute for Indigenous Studies

CONTACT

Director: Sean M. Daley, PhD, MA
Email: sed220@lehigh.edu
Phone: 610.758.2581
Website: health.lehigh.edu/research-partnerships/institute-indigenous-studies

Core Faculty and Staff

• Justin Begaye (Navajo), Research Scientist 2
• Abby Bryer, Undergraduate Research Assistant 
• Won S. Choi, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and Professor, Community and Population Health 
• Christine M. Daley, Chair and Professor, Community and Population Health 
• Sean M. Daley, Director of the IIS and Associate Professor, Community and Population Health 
• Ryan Goeckner, Senior Research Scientist and Instructor, Community and Population Health 
• Jordyn Gunville (Cheyenne River Sioux), Senior Research Scientist 
• Jason Hale (Prairie Band Potawatomi), Prairie Band Potawatomi Site Director and Senior Research Scientist
• Caitlin Haas, Research Associate 
• Charley Lewis (Paiute/Navajo), Senior Research Scientist 
• Joseph Pacheco (Quechua/Cherokee), Assistant Professor, Community and Population Health 
• Luke Swimmer (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Research Scientist 2

Affiliated faculty

• Sara Kangas, Associate Professor, Special Education, College of Education
• Katelyn Lucas, Adjunct Instructor, English, College of Arts and Sciences 
• John Hughes, Associate Professor, Community and Population Health, College of Health
• Michelle LeMaster, Associate Professor, History, College of Arts and Sciences
• Patricia Manz,  Professor, School Psychology, College of Education
• Thomas McAndrew, Assistant Professor, Community and Population Health, College of Health
• Ashlee Simon, Instructor, English, College of Arts and Sciences

Mission

The Institute for Indigenous Studies (IIS) partners and collaborates with Indigenous peoples, nations, communities, and organizations to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of Indigenous peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere.  IIS researchers work with Indigenous peoples, nations, communities, and organizations to identify and address the current health and education needs of Indigenous peoples using a multi-level socio-ecological framework and partners with tribal and community organizations, colleges, universities, and other academic institutions to develop culturally appropriate research methodologies and frameworks that can be used to address the health and education needs of Indigenous peoples.

Research Activities

The IIS is actively involved in research and utilizes Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) where Indigenous peoples and communities are involved in all stages of our research, from ideas to implementation.  Some of our current research includes:

IIS research is currently funded by the American Cancer Society, the National Institute for Drug Abuse, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

IIS research has previously been funded by the American Lung Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Arts Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Notah Begay III Foundation, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

Educational Opportunities

The IIS is committed to educating Native and non-Native people about the current state of Indigenous affairs.  The IIS accomplishes this through Indigenous-focused undergraduate and graduate courses, independent studies, and internships.  We host live and virtual film screenings, panel discussions, presentations, and events focused on Indigenous health, education, and culture.  We also assist elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, other colleges and universities, community organizations, and governmental organizations with their Indigenous-focused research and educational programs.