'Decolonizing Indigenous Sexualities and Research-Creation'

Denison University welcomes Associate Professor of Native Studies at the University of Alberta, and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience & Environment Kim TallBear presenting "Decolonizing Indigenous Sexualities and Research-Creation."

TallBear established the teaching and research program, Indigenous Science, Technology and Society, which informs "national, global and Indigenous thought and policymaking related to science and technology" to promote Indigenous self-determination. TallBear also studies decolonial and critical sexualities and is co-producer of the radio show, Tipi Confessions.  Building on lessons learned with geneticists about how race categories get settled, TallBear is currently working on a book that interrogates settler-colonial commitments to settlement in place, within disciplines, and within monogamous, state-sanctioned marriage. TallBear is a citizen of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota. TallBear will discuss the University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies-based RELAB, a "research-creation" or arts-based research group, Indigenous Studies decolonial and relational analytic frameworks are co-constituted with performance, and other creative works. This talk will highlight both Indigenous Studies and arts-based theoretical foundations of the RELAB and its core performance initiatives. The RELAB grew out of and continues to support the sexy storytelling show, Tipi Confessions, first produced in 2015 in Edmonton. TallBear produces the show with two other Indigenous women, PhD student Kirsten Lindquist and fellow faculty member Dr. Tracy Bear. Pre-Covid 19, Tipi Confessions appeared several times a year in Edmonton, in cities across Canada, and internationally. Sparked by the pandemic, we are re-vamping Tipi Confessions to continue as both online and in-theatre productions. This talk will also touch on the graduate student founded Beaver Hills Burlesque Collective that derived in part from the confessions shows.