I am currently a Senior University Lecturer in North American Studies at the University of Helsinki. Before being awarded the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies CORE fellowship in 2017, I served as the interim McDonnell Douglas Professor of American Studies (2014–2016) and as an Academy of Finland Research Fellow (2011–2016). Over the course of my career, I have authored or edited 11 books, including The Lakota Ghost Dance of 1890 and A Whirlwind Passed Through Our Country. My recent publications include Lakȟóta: An Indigenous History (2022) and Finnish Settler Colonialism in North America (2022).
My three years at the Collegium were exceptionally productive and inspiring, as I fully embraced its motto, “Freedom to Think.” In this stimulating research environment, I developed my project, which later received additional funding from the KONE Foundation in 2019. This combination of intellectual freedom, robust funding, and the support of a research team culminated in a book and several articles (https://blogs.helsinki.fi/humananetworks/). Furthermore, my time at the Collegium allowed me to conceptualize my next project, which subsequently secured four years of funding from the Research Council of Finland in 2023. My experience at the Collegium significantly shaped the trajectory of my career, which continues to evolve.
While Indigenous North American cultures and history remain central to my expertise, my research has increasingly focused on sustainability and Indigenous engagement in environmental protection. The initial results of this work include an edited volume, Bridging Cultural Concepts of Nature: Indigenous People and Protected Spaces of Nature (edited by Rani Andersson, Boyd Cothran, and Saara Kekki), which was published in 2022 as the inaugural book in the Collegium series AHEAD. Funny enough, the second book in this series was the above-mentioned Finnish Settler Colonialism in North America. Even five years after my time at the Collegium, I continue to collaborate with the colleagues I met there and greatly value the enriching networks I established. These connections remain an integral part of my scholarly journey.
I am an Assistant Professor in the Indigenous Development and Social Work Department at National Dong Hwa University and a researcher at the Centre for Research on Ethnic Relations and Nationalism (CEREN) at the University of Helsinki. As an Indigenous Tayal researcher from Formosa (Taiwan), my work focuses on state-Indigenous relations and Indigenous sovereignty. My work often involves developing Indigenous research methodologies and explore bridging knowledge systems.
At the core of my research is an emphasis on care, relationality, and the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being. Drawing from Tayal Knowledge and other Indigenous perspectives, I investigate how Indigenous knowledges can inform sustainable practices, cultural resilience, and socio-ecological well-being. My work often involves participatory and community-based approaches, emphasizing ethical collaboration and Indigenous leadership. By fostering dialogue between Indigenous, Western, and local knowledge systems, I aim to create frameworks that empower communities to address contemporary challenges while preserving their cultural identities and fostering social cohesion.
My time as a Core Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (HCAS) was transformative. I truly valued the interdisciplinary exchanges through weekly presentations, informal lunch and coffee chats, gym sessions, and corridor conversations. This vibrant, supportive atmosphere brought me close to what I imagine as an academic paradise—a space of true learning and growth.
Last but not least, my time as a Core Fellow set me on a strong path for my research and international collaborations. Although I had to leave HCAS early to accept a faculty position back home, I deeply valued the kind and supportive counsel of the other fellows during this difficult decision. Their encouragement helped me transition confidently into my new role. Thanks to my time at HCAS, I felt grounded rather than lost as I began my faculty journey. The Collegium’s warm, interdisciplinary environment not only nurtured my intellectual growth but also reinforced the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and connection in academia.