Come learn about the power of partnerships to foster empowering research and action! Although universities should catalyze empowerment, frequently they instead marginalize the cultures of Indigenous students. We will talk about how partnerships between Alaska Native Elders, students, staff, and faculty led to the creation of a unique “counterspace” in a public university to address cultural marginalization. Not only did the space support Alaska Native students’ identity development, well-being, and sense of community, it also functioned as an empowering setting, leading to ripple effects beyond it. We will describe the project and reflect on lessons learned. 

Sara Buckingham, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her research, practice, and teaching integrate clinical, community, and cultural psychology. With Alaska Native Elders, she co-developed “Knowing Who You Are (Becoming): The Cultural Identity Project” to support Alaska Native young people’s well-being.