Dina Gilio-Whitaker Bio

Biographical sketch of Native American Topic Writer

Dina is a Native American educator and freelance writer specializing in Native American culture, both current and historical.

In addition to writing for About.com's Native American History site, Dina works as an educator in a K-12 Indian education program in southern California. She is a regular contributor to Indian Country Today Media Network news magazine, and has had a long career as an accomplished Native American artist.

Dina holds a bachelor's degree in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico, and a master's degree in American Studies with a research focus in Native studies from the same school. Her research interests emphasize decolonization theory, indigenous environmental justice, and international indigenous issues. As an undergraduate she graduated summa cum laude, and graduated with distinction from her master's program.

As a person of Native American heritage (Colville Confederated Tribes) I am deeply interested not only in how the processes of history have affected today's Native American people, but in how those processes play out in American history narratives. Histories are subject to change depending on the particular historical moment, who is telling the history, and for what reason. American historical narratives of American Indians have been incomplete but fortunately are being filled in by Native people themselves, giving a much more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history.