Accomplished Author and Researcher, PhD Earner in Philosophy, now Founder of the Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations (ITIN) at Arizona State University: Meet Dr. David Martinez
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, GlobalMindED is honored to feature Dr. David Martínez, Professor of American Indian and Transborder Studies and Director of the Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations (ITIN) at Arizona State University. A citizen of the Gila River Indian Community and an Akimel O’odham and Mexican intellectual, Dr. Martínez works to preserve Indigenous culture, protect sacred lands, and elevate Native voices in education and policy. His leadership reflects the spirit of this month—honoring the resilience, wisdom, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples who continue to guide efforts toward environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Tell us about your personal journey.
I am an Akimel O’odham and Mexican intellectual, enrolled in the Gila River Indian Community, but raised in Pomona, CA. I have a PhD in Philosophy (Stony Brook University) and an MA in American Indian Studies (University of Arizona). I’m unsure how to summarize my personal journey in so few words. Suffice it to say, I am exactly where I need to be right now.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
In early 2020 President Trump ordered the expedited construction of a barrier that stretched along the Arizona-Sonora border, which is ancestral Hia-ced and Tohono O’odham land. Seeing sacred sites dynamited and contaminated near Quitobaquito Springs, A’al Vaipia, is what motivated me to create the Institute for Transborder Indigenous Nations.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned through your work?
Despite the divisiveness that you see in the news, which only frames the issues in adversarial terms, everyone as fellow human beings (regardless of their political identity) can understand the importance of a healthy relation with the environment, the fundamental right to define themselves as cultural beings, and the need to protect what is sacred to them.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
As an O’odham scholar and teacher, I realize that I am one of only a small community of Indigenous academics with the opportunity to use the skills of my profession to shape the discourse on Indigenous issues and affairs. When I see people listening, it makes my heart grow stronger.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
I want people to remember that democracy is more than simply voting for one or the other major parties, then hoping in vain that they “fix things.” Democracy is also the everyday choices that we make as we determine our private and professional lives. We are not just citizens; we are also moral beings.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
Mostly, I need the opportunity to spread the word about ITIN. So, hearing from groups like GlobalMindED is fantastic!
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