History

The Native American Studies Minor was established in 1979, through the efforts of scholar and activist Edward Castillo (Luiseño-Cahuilla). Throughout his career, Castillo demonstrated a commitment to both scholarship and activism, which he saw as complementary approaches to the creation of a more informed and equitable society in California and the USA. At Sonoma State University, Castillo advocated for Native American Studies, taught classes on local Native American history and culture, and specialized in the impact of Spanish colonization on Native Americans in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ed Castillo directed the NAMS program, housed during his tenure, in the American Multicultural Studies Department (AMCS) in the School of Arts and Humanities. 

In 2005, Greg Sarris became the Graton Rancheria Endowed Chair of Sonoma State University. During his tenure and until his retirement in the spring of 2022, Sarris taught courses in creative writing, American literature, and Native American literature. In the fall of 2020, NAMS became a department under the direction of chair Jeffrey Reed followed by Janet Hess, and currently Silvia Soto. 

Now housed in the School of Ethnic Studies and Languages in the College of Education, Counseling, and Ethnic Studies, NAMS continues to grow its intellectual community and vision into the future to continue honoring the legacies of NAMS at SSU.