JSIS 498 C: Digital Stories, Indigeneity and the Environment
Indigenizing the Jackson School
Our Journey Begins Outside...
Building signs are some of the first things students and faculty see when they enter Thomson Hall, the home of the Jackson School. So how can we Indigenize the Jackson School? One answer is signage.
Although on-campus activities have temporarily subsided, spaces on campus still hold an important role in the cultivation of the Jackson School brand. Students use on-campus signage to navigate buildings: These signs are one of the first things student, staff, and faculty see when they enter these spaces, and as such they play a significant role in establishing environments. Given this, we propose that Lushootseed language, be added to these signs or represented on a new sign. Essentially, translations of “Jackson School of International Studies” would be added below the existing English signage.
The Jackson School's Diversity and Equity Statement acknowledges that:
“Students report less discrimination and bias at institutions where they perceive a stronger institutional commitment to diversity and that addressing the dynamics surrounding an institution.”
The Jackson School has a responsibility to indigenous students as a culturally inclusive learning community. Therefore, to acknowledge the dynamics of the Jackson School as an institution that resides of the stolen lands of the Coast Salish peoples: the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Duwamish, Puyallup, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations, we propose that these revisions be made to the signage.
An example of Luhshootseed signage on UW's Intellectual House
One of Thomson Hall's entrance signs: a prospective sign to change
University of Maine's bilingual universtiy signange: an example of what's possible
Signs are one of the first things that identify institutional and physical spaces. Given this, we recommend that Lushootseed language be added to key signage, such as those outside of Thomson Hall. A translation of “Jackson School of International Studies” should be added below the existing English language.
Among other benefits, such signage would help to create a more welcoming atmosphere for BIPOC students given that, as noted by the Jackson School’s Diversity and Equity statement,
“Students report less discrimination and bias at institutions where they perceive a stronger institutional commitment to diversity and that addressing the dynamics surrounding an institution.”
Other institutions demonstrate that these changes are not only possible but beneficial. In 2019, the University of Maine added new road and building signage with both English and Penobscot, the language of the Penobscot Nation of Northeastern Woodlands of Maine. One student who worked on the project said that,
“I think this project is progressive for Indigenous communities and the Indigenous students who attend the University of Maine. The signs will make native students feel recognized and welcomed.”
Following in the steps of the University of Maine, this project would require a translation committee to be assembled to ensure that appropriate Lushootseed translations are produced. Direct translations are sometimes difficult, leaving room for interpretation. Therefore, a committee, rather than an individual, would be necessary for this project.
After translations have been agreed upon, the translations would need to be added to the signs in front of the entrances to Thomson Hall, the building housing the Jackson School. This would require funding for reprinting or replacing the signs.
Additionally, these changes should be reflected on the Jackson School’s website. For instance, the Jackson School branding at the top of the webpage could be changed as well.
