Ideas in the Air: WHA 2025

Rishma Johal 

Albuquerque is well recognized for its balloons flying high in the skies, but the Western Historical Association Annual Conference filled those skies with ideas this year. Thought bubbles were floating from each talk to gathering as I met academics and graduate students across the United States and Canada. I was able to both learn from others and share my knowledge with like-minded individuals, which ensured that I was constantly thinking about key concepts associated with my research work. I can only imagine how many others had thought bubbles floating away as I was inspired to think of new ways to approach my work. What is my research? Did I forget to introduce myself?

Hi, I am Rishma Johal, a PhD candidate at McGill University in the Department of History and Classical Studies. My doctoral project examines intersections and dissension among early South Asian migrants and Indigenous communities of the Pacific Northwest between 1897 and 1947. I was one of the recipients of the Graduate Student Prize this year for which I am extremely grateful as I had the opportunity to make the most of my time in Albuquerque. This was my third year attending the WHA, but it was the only year that I was able to stay for three days and attend a wide range of events thanks to this award. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience to enhance my engagement with other scholars who are exploring similar themes as myself. I attended several banquets and networked with up-and-coming scholars from Berkeley, Montana, Colorado, Vancouver, Seattle, and Texas to name a few. I discussed an array of topics with the students and scholars that I met. We shared notes about teaching and discussed how we were adapting to the use of AI in the classroom. I heard about how others were navigating use of archives in unison with oral histories. I learned how some scholars were working on participant recruitment. I also heard about Albuquerque’s history. As I complete the last two chapters of my thesis, it was especially meaningful that I could reflect on my work and listen to individuals speak who are conducting important work in related fields.

As someone interested in migration, gender, race, Indigenous-settler relations, and migrant settlerhood—I had a tough time deciding which events to attend this year. Opening the conference program and selecting what panels and events to attend was a daunting but exciting experience! I still regret that I was unable to attend two of the panels held at the same time as the roundtable in which I was speaking. Nevertheless, I was able to listen to an array of panelists speak about Indigenous histories that have been overlooked and lost through time. Hearing about how they found those narratives and retraced Indigenous histories sometimes through colonial documents was fascinating. Critical readings of colonial archives and records can convey more than was recorded in a particular way. I also heard enticing talks about settlement in the west, the arrival of pioneers, and memory making. Moreover, I had rich discussions with key thinkers in my field. I have many thoughts about the ways in which I discuss my positionality as a historian, the ways in which I have implemented certain sources, and the strategies that I can adopt to reorient my work by centering Indigenous voices even further. The last point has had a profound impact on the manner in which I am writing my current chapter.

In addition, I spoke at a roundtable on Asian—Indigenous Relationality: Ruptures and Solidarities in the Greater West. I was able to exchange ideas about migrant settlerhood and relationality among other graduate students who were studying interactions with Asians and Indigenous peoples. I have had few other opportunities to discuss South Asian—Indigenous intersections with individuals who are conducting work that is so closely aligned with my research. The talk was well-attended, and we acquired many insightful questions from audience members making this a memorable experience. Being a part of this panel truly felt like I was at the head of an innovative shift in academia in which I was studying a subject that was rarely touched. Dr. Josh Reid chaired this panel whose work in Indigenous studies in the Pacific Northwest is noteworthy. Dr. Reid was my Fulbright advisor at the University of Washington when I was conducting research there so being able to share how much my project has evolved from that period meant a lot to me personally. My supervisor, Dr. Laura Madokoro who is a leading historian in migration and refugee studies also attended my talk, and I had the chance to share my work in a way that she has not yet seen. I was greatly enthused to be able to talk about migrant settlerhood in front of the academic who has so remarkably influenced my understanding on the subject. These were personal milestones that held significance as I was able to present my research and ideas with scholars whose opinion I hold in the highest regard.

Overall, I will always remember 2025’s WHA as it provided a platform to share and exchange knowledge at a time when my writing is coming together. I could utilize what I learned in imperative ways that have helped strengthen my work. It was a meaningful and unforgettable experience. I would like to thank the committee for selecting me for this award and convey my genuine appreciation for the funding that allowed my full participation in the conference. I look forward to seeing everyone in Portland next year!