Renée Holt

Instructor of Comparative Ethnic Studies and American Studies

Ti’tooq’an Cuuk’we’neewit Native Teaching and Learning Community Project

Education

• PhD, Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education, Washington State University, 2016
• M.A, History, University of Idaho, 2001
• B.S. Political Science and History, Lewis-Clark State College, 1999

Research Interests and Writing

As an emerging Indigenous scholar-(activist) educator, my work is grounded in an epistemological worldview as a Dine and Nimiipuu woman. Striving to create spaces of change, I begin in solidarity with Black, LatinX, Muslim, and LGBQT communities and realizing that when it comes to the active participation, voices, and narrative of Indigenous people, critical works must be inclusive and reflective of the many voices of Indigenous people that tend to be silenced. (Smith, 2012; Meyer, 2001) As a mother, my children attend Washington state public schools and my interests can be found in helping local public schools with in-service teacher professional development and pre-service teacher education in an effort to address racialized stereotypes and misconceptions. Research by Indigenous scholars have found that to help create spaces of change, the practice of culturally responsive education is important. (Battiste, 2013; Brayboy, 2006 & 2000). To help create spaces of change, I work to help address the erasure of Indigenous people in our education systems. Research has proven that erasure and systemic oppression will continue to affect Indigenous communities and ultimately Native student learners in the classroom. (Battiste, 2013 & 2002; Kanu, 2005) The direct correlation of the historical issues related to settler colonialism has resulted in the erasure that continues to persist in education systems. Through an Indigenous epistemology (and ancestral knowledge) passed down from my grandmothers, my interests in teacher education work to address the historical effects on Indigenous people and helping to create teachable moments with all student learners.

Current Writings in Preparation

Culturally Responsive Education

Currently writing an article on culturally responsive education related to the Washington State Office of Public Instruction Since Time Immemorial (STI) curriculum.  This article draws from my dissertation research, an Indigenous Inquiry on Culturally Responsive Curriculum and is influenced by an Indigenous woman educator who started a movement in Washington Indigenous education. This article continues with the story of the STI curriculum from inception, introduction, implementation, and lastly, to being passed legislatively with funding.

Anti-blackness in Indigenous Communities

This conceptual scholarly piece works to address how solidarity between Indigenous and Black communities also addresses anti-blackness. Offering solutions from first steps to practice, this article is in development, and highlights the works of critical race scholars who work in solidarity with Indigenous and Black communities.

Indigenous Women Collective

This is a manuscript documenting the women from Standing Rock and Indigenous women from throughout Indian country who stood with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in solidarity against the Dakota Access Pipeline at the Oceti Sakowin NoDAPL camp.

Professional Affiliations and Organizations

• Equity in Education Coalition
• National Indian Education Association
• American Educational Research Association 
• National Women’s Studies Association
• Potlatch Fund

Presentations upcoming and most recent past

• April, 2017, Washington State Indian Education Association, Keynote, “Reclaiming Indigenous Education While Deconstructing Western Education Systems”
• April, 2017, American Education Research Association (AERA), invitation to special session, “Supporting Schools in ‘Unexpected’ Places: Standing Rock and Chicago Freedom Square”
• April, 2016, Washington State University Center for Women’s Studies, Keynote, “Celebrating National Women’s History Month, How to Work from Margin to Center” Pullman, WA.
• March, 2016, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Teacher Educators Workshop Presentation on culturally responsive education, Spalding, ID

Courses Taught

• TCH_LRN 499: Contemporary Indigenous Education Seminar, Washington State University (WSU), 2017 – Present
• CES 372: Indigenous Women in Traditional and Contemporary Societies, WSU, 2015-Present
• CMST 101: Introduction to Communication, Northwest Indian College (NWIC), 2016 – Present
• CSOV 130: Icons of Our Past, NWIC, 2017-Present
• CSOV 120: Reclaiming Our History, NWIC, 2016 – Present
• EDU 202: Educating Our Own, NWIC, 2016 – Present
• POLS 225: History of Federal Indian Policy, NWIC, 2016 – Present

Tribal Affiliations

Dine and Nimiipuu