Native North America
My interests in Native America are varied, but center mostly on the relationships that are structured and enacted through law and policy. I am currently engaged in two ongoing projects. The first, in collaboration with a colleague at the University of Florida, examines the ontological politics of mining, cultural heritage, and environmental health among the Western Shoshone. The second is an investigation of the history and current position of proposed legislation to reform the Indian Health Service.
In 2007, I published an essay on the reservation system in the Encyclopedia of Race and Racism. The essay addressed historical colonial development of reservation ideologies and the linkages between the colonial enterprise in Ireland and Native North America.
I have also conducted ethnographic, ethnohistorical, and legal research concerning treaty and trust violations, Federal recognition, and language revitalization. In addition, I have contracted to conduct research and produce written briefs and reports in support of Native American and First Nations litigation efforts.
