John Little, PhD (Standing Rock Dakota), is a scholar, historian, filmmaker, and mentor whose work bridges history, higher education, and community transformation. His research and presentations focus on Native student success, Indigenizing the university, cultural appropriation and Native mascots, Lakota and Dakota music, and the complex experiences of Native Vietnam veterans.
A citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Dr. Little grew up between the Denver urban Native community and a small South Dakota town, shaping his path toward reclaiming Native narratives and mentoring the next generation. He earned his PhD in History from the University of Minnesota and is passionate about changing the way history is written about Native peoples.
John is the co-founder of Tokahe Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native youth to dream of, invest in, and plan for their futures. Previously he was the Director of Native Recruitment & Alumni Engagement at the University of South Dakota, and Director of Indian University of North America, a college readiness program at the Crazy Horse Memorial.
He is also co-director, with his brother Kenn, of the award-winning documentary More Than a Word, which examines the fight against Native-themed mascots. As a Bush Fellow, he is launching the Tokahe Institute, a nonprofit advancing higher education access for Native students. Widely recognized as a connector, Dr. Little helps students and communities see that they belong, their stories matter, and the future can be built differently.
Sovereign Representation: Beyond Mascots and Cultural Appropriation
This presentation examines how Native peoples are often misrepresented, or outright erased, through mascots, branding, and pop culture. Dr. Little explores the historical and ongoing harm of cultural appropriation while also uplifting examples of Native-led movements to reclaim visibility and dignity. Audiences will leave with a clearer understanding of why authentic representation matters and how institutions can move beyond stereotypes toward sovereignty and respect.
Native Film and Storytelling: Utilizing Film to Reclaim Our Narratives
Stories are power, and for too long, Native communities have been spoken for rather than heard. Drawing from his own award-winning filmmaking experience as well as a Renaissance of Native stories on screen, Dr. Little shows how film can be a vehicle for resistance, healing, and narrative reclamation. This session highlights contemporary Native filmmakers and projects that challenge mainstream depictions, while inspiring students and professionals alike to see film as a tool for social change.
Indigenizing Work in Higher Education
What does it mean to indigenize the university? Dr. Little addresses the barriers that Native students face in higher education, including systemic racism, policies of exclusion, and the hidden curriculum of assimilation. He also shares strategies for building more inclusive campuses, through recruitment, retention, mentorship, and curriculum change, that center Native worldviews and foster genuine belonging.
Building the Future Leaders of Indian Country: Native American College Readiness Programs
Based on years of leading Native college readiness initiatives, Dr. Little explores what it takes to prepare Native youth for success in higher education and beyond. He discusses culturally responsive approaches that support students’ academic growth while also strengthening community ties. Participants will gain insights into building programs that empower the next generation of Native leaders.
You Can’t Confuse Indian Patriotism with “American Pie”: Lakota and Dakota Experiences During Vietnam
Native Americans serve in the military at higher rates per capita than any other group in the United States. This presentation traces the complex experiences of Lakota and Dakota veterans during the Vietnam War, highlighting service, sacrifice, and patriotism in the face of systemic discrimination at home. Dr. Little “complicates the narrative” around Native military service, opening space for dialogue about belonging, contradiction, and resilience.
Sustaining Tradition: Dakota Knowledge, Culture, and Language in the Archive
What role do archives play in protecting—or distorting—Native knowledge? Dr. Little examines the preservation of Dakota culture, language, and tradition through archival work, showing both the promise and the pitfalls of academic institutions. This talk offers practical insights for archivists, educators, and students interested in sustaining Indigenous knowledge in ways that honor community ownership and cultural protocols.
Co-Presentations
More Than a Word
Bring a screening of this award-winning film about Native mascots and identity, co-directed by John and his brother Kenn Little. A lively Q&A and discussion with one or both filmmakers follows, unpacking the movement to retire racist team names and the broader fight for Native visibility and respect.
Mascots, Monuments, and Racist Objects: Using America’s Past to Unpack White Supremacy and Promote Racial Justice
In partnership with David Pilgrim, Founder and Director of the Jim Crow Museum, Dr. Little takes audiences inside the cultural reckoning that has challenged racist symbols across the United States. Together, they connect the dots between mascots, monuments, and other racist imagery, illustrating how these representations uphold systems of white supremacy. This co-presentation provides a framework for understanding the renaming movement and offers pathways for advancing racial justice on campuses and beyond.
