Academic Portfolio

Current Projects

-- Ethnohistorical Analysis of the Batts and Fallam Expedition, 1671

The Batts and Fallam expedition of 1671 was more significant than previous researchers have described especially for an uncontacted group of Native Americans in the Appalachian mountains called the Monytons. This article first reconfigures the pathways of every individual and group mentioned in the text especially the Native people. Secondly, I focus the discussion expedition on the context of the Native geopolitical and cultural landscape instead of English actions. This is an article in the final stages of a major edit after sitting on the back burner for a year.

-- Maopewa Iati Bi

I am editing the text of my 2015 dissertation for publication. The edits are mostly trimming out and tightening but since two years have passed since my defense I am also updating with a few selected revisions to account for new publications. In addition to the edits and revisions, I am developing a website to display archaeological and GIS data sets that are not imperative in the text, but provide important context for researchers and future discussions.

--Ekuni: A Tale of Native Americans in West Virginia

This is an historical fiction novel from the perspective of a Monyton (West Virginia Native American) man who comes of age during the initial contacts with the English from 1670-1675. The book is written for high-school-undergraduate students and has additional resources linked to the text including artifacts for each chapter. These materials are posted a website that I'm developing as I write. This intended to bring to life the complex world of the protohistoric period in the West Virginia Mountains.

Upcoming Research

-- West Virginia Native American Geographic Information System: WVNAGIS

Census/Geneological database with Indian focus, depicting census data for the area of West Virginia 1790-2010 along with geneological data tracing Indians 1860-1940.

-- Article of Native Communities in West Virginia 1860-1940

Contrary to the historiography and popular belief, West Virginia has at least we areas where Native Americans persisted into the modern era. This article traces the evidence collected and examined after exhaustive census record research and genealogical research. This is the beginning of a larger research process for developing a modern history of West Virginia Native American History.

-- WV Native History lesson plans (12-month)

The West Virginia social studies standards barely mention Native Americans and their are few reliable resources for teachers for the subject. This idea began as a series of blog posts that are being expanded for use in the classroom to promote historical literacy and to deconstruct the misconceptions about Native people. Primary among these is the myth that all Indians are dead or far removed from the state.

-- California Native American History course development

I always find the best way to frame new research into a region is to develop a bibliography and then read on the topic with a college course in mind.

-- Research needs with CA Native Orgs. and Academics

I want to promote advocacy for Native History in CA. While I will always be working as an advocate for West Virginia Native people’s, I now live in California and feel an obligation to learn about my new home and it’s Native History and modern concerns to better advocate for Indigenous rights whether related to civil rights, CRM, environmental justice or education.

Writing Samples

Southern WV Flood Oral History
Atlantic World History
Experiments in Socialism
Functional Limitations of GIS
Preliminary Native American Historical Census in WV