About Center CIRCL

The purpose of the Center for Collaborative Indigenous Research with Communities and Lands (Center CIRCL) is to grow the practice, theory, and reach of Indigenous Studies and Indigenous research at New York University, and beyond. Because research can have an important role in Indigenous communities’ efforts towards justice and creating the futures they desire, Center CIRCL is dedicated to supporting communities to address their research needs. The Center is designed to be an institutional home-base for all scholars who engage in Indigenous Studies and work alongside Indigenous communities.  Center CIRCL also provides pathways for Lenape scholars, teachers, artists, and writers to spend time in their work and practice in their homelands here in New York City.

The Center for Collaborative Indigenous Research with Communities and Lands (Center CIRCL) at New York University was formed in 2024, but was many years in the making. The creation of this Provostial Center is the result of decades of struggle and persistence by students, alumni, faculty and staff.

The goals of Center CIRCL are to provide forums for collaboration for Indigenous Studies scholars across campuses and support for collaborations with Indigenous communities. We aim to engage scholars, artists, and community researchers in inquiry and creative practice to meet the research and collaborative practice needs of Indigenous communities. We also seek to provide opportunities for Lenape citizens to spend sustained time in New York City. We will know we have met these goals when NYU is well-known for collaborations with Indigenous communities (in the region, across North America, and in its global programs) and when NYU is considered a destination university for Indigenous peoples and Indigenous Studies scholars around the world, especially the children of our collaborators.