The AIS Master's program, established in 1982, was the first of its kind in the United States. By 1984, a minor in AIS at the doctorate level was approved by the Graduate College. Prior to 1991, AIS was operating with a half-time director, 1 full-time employee assigned to the program, and a core of committed faculty from across the university whose tenuous attachment to the program was based on courtesy appointments.
There was 1 staff member, $4,900 in operations, and variable support for graduate students from the Graduate College and other competitive funding.
The program was housed in four small temporary offices borrowed from the Political Science department and less than 30 graduate students were enrolled in any given semester.
A phased and substantive program of enhancement of administration, curriculum, academic programming, student financial support, staff, and infrastructure was undertaken.
It was felt that this serious commitment by The University of Arizona would provide the necessary momentum which would lead to the establishment of full departmental status.
In 2015, AIS faculty moved to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) and established the AIS department and opened the undergraduate major in the same year. The M.A., J.D./M.A., and Ph.D. remain in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP).
Original Motto and Logo
American Indian Studies created a logo and motto twenty-five years after the program was established in 1982. Credit goes to a department wide effort led by Dr. Robert Martin, AIS Associate Head and chair of the Logo and Motto Committee.
The group worked several months to develop the logo and motto unveiled to the public at the May 2007 AIS Convocation.
A process; guiding principles, and design elements were generated by the group to guide their work. A brainstorming session resulted in the motto “First in Native Knowledge” to reflect the AIS distinction of being at the forefront of graduate Indian education for twenty-five years.
The logo design is a turtle rattle—an instrument used by many tribes for ceremonial purposes and regarded as sacred.
Harvill Sign
"The future of mankind lies waiting for those who will come to understand their lives and take up their responsibilities to all living things." - Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe)
Tóna wičhóni ogláȟniǧapi naháŋ táku makȟásitomniyaŋ ní úŋpi kiŋ iyúha ečhíyataŋhaŋ wóiksape kič'úŋpi kiŋ hená épi čha tȟokátakiya wayús áyapi kte. (Lakota)