Stay current with us

September 27, 2021

The Department of Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University lost one of our own recently when Dr. Lomayumtewa C. Ishii (Hopi) passed on last week.

Dr. Ishii received his appointment in the Applied Indigenous Studies Department at Northern Arizona University in 2004 and specialized in Native American history and historiography, the American West, and borderlands, until he retired from NAU in June 2020 to pursue other interests. Professor Ishii’s work was known internationally. He was the keynote speaker at the 39^th American Indian Workshop in Ghent, Belgium (2017).  An interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Ishii’s work was a key contributing piece of the National Science Foundation funded Native Science Curriculum project, an open-source curriculum collaboration between NAU, the University of Kansas, the University of New Mexico and the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

For many years, Dr. Ishii held a dual appointment in the departments of Applied Indigenous Studies and History at Northern Arizona University. His passion for topics affecting Indigenous Peoples was undeniable in the classroom and one of the many things about him that inspired students. One Applied Indigenous Studies alumna said, “…It’s because of Dr. Ishii that I was drawn to AIS.  I was in a classroom learning about Native American history from a Native American professor, and I was just blown away.” Professor Ishii was also known for his humor in and out of the classroom. Course evaluations from his classes often had comments such as, “Dr. Ishii is FUNNY!”

In the academic community Loma Ishii was known for Indigenous historiography, and helping Indigenous Peoples speak for themselves about their own histories.  What only those closest to him knew, however, was that he was also a talented musician, playing guitar and singing in his own band, performing in and around Flagstaff for many years.

Dr. Lomayumtewa Ishii was a multi-talented person, and a bright light in the world who will be remembered by former students, as well as colleagues and friends at Northern Arizona University, and throughout the Northern Arizona region. The Department of Applied Indigenous Studies will host a Celebration of Life event Saturday, October 16, from 2-4 p.m., at the Native American Cultural Center at Northern Arizona University.  Those who would like to attend remotely are invited to join in by zoom.

Dr. Lomayumtewa C. Ishii (Hopi) Celebration of Life Event
Saturday, October 16, 2-4 p.m.
In person: Native American Cultural Center, Northern Arizona University
Or via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 826 5105 6726
Password: 265662
Hosted by the Department of Applied Indigenous Studies