Indian Gaming 2017 Tradeshow and Conference

Joely Proudfit
Director of California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center
California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM)


Joely Proudfit (Luiseño), Ph.D., is a descendant of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians. Dr. Proudfit holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science with emphasis in public policy and American Indian studies from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in political science with emphasis in public law from California State University Long Beach. As the first member of her family to complete a high school diploma, she serves as a role model for Native youth and encourages self-determination through knowledge and education. In fall 2008, she joined the faculty at CSU San Marcos as Program Coordinator for Native Studies. She now serves as Professor and Department Chair of the newly established American Indian Studies Department. Dr. Proudfit is also the Director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at CSUSM. Proudfit previously served as a tenured associate professor of public administration and the director of the Tribal Government, Management and Leadership Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and the department chair of American Indian Studies at San Francisco State University. In addition to her academic positions, she was the first special advisor to the Honorable Cruz M. Bustamante, lieutenant governor of California, for California Indian Sovereign Nations in 2002. Additionally, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Proudfit in February 2016 to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. Dr. Proudfit is also the founder and Executive Director of the California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival. Dr. Proudfit and Chris Eyre (Director/Producer) recently formed The Native Networkers, an alliance to promote American Indian representation throughout the film industry.

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