Inaugural Peter Iverson Distinguished Lecture

Peter Iverson’s Legacy: The Relevance of the Indian Past in the Present with Albert L. Hurtado

Thursday, April 30, 2026 Noon–1:30 p.m. in West Hall 135

Throughout his professional life Peter Iverson argued that historians of Native America should turn their attention away from the nineteenth-century history of frontier conquest and Indian wars to the twentieth century’s more complex story of resurgence and endurance. Peter’s efforts to reorient the field of Native American history are part of his enduring legacy. But, as Peter understood, a focus on contemporary Indian issues such as tribal sovereignty, resource development and gaming does not mean that the more distant past has been left behind. Often the most contentious “modern” problems in Indian country have roots deep in the past. Thus, history remains relevant to contemporary Indians as well as to their non-Indian neighbors.

About Albert L. Hurtado

Albert L. Hurtado held the Travis Chair in Modern American history at the University of Oklahoma where he taught courses on the American West and Native American history until he retired in 2012. His books and articles on these subjects have won awards, including the Billington Prize for Indian Survival on the California Frontier (1988), the Neuburg Award for Intimate Frontiers: Sex, Gender and Culture in Old California (1999), and the Caughey Prize for John Sutter, A Life on the North American Frontier (2006). Professor Hurtado’s most recent book is Herbert Eugene Bolton: Historian of the American Borderlands. He has also edited books including Major Problems in American Indian History (1994, 2001, 2014), and Reflections on American Indian History (2008). He is past president of the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association and the Western History Association.

About the Peter Iverson Distinguished Lecture

This lecture celebrates and commemorates the contributions of Dr. Peter Iverson during his exemplary 30 year career at Arizona State University. Professor Iverson is one of the most recognized leading historians of the American West and Native History – he is the author of ten books, the editor of five books, and served as the President of the Western History Association in 2004. At ASU, Professor Iverson was the first history professor appointed as Regents’ Professor, and he served as the Director of Graduate Studies for History for several years. A beloved teacher and mentor, Professor Iverson oversaw the work of 50 PhD students and was recognized for his commitment to his students’ continued success by being awarded Outstanding Doctoral Mentor from Arizona State University in 2003.

ASU School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies Arizona State University

A light lunch will be provided, but RSVP is required.

RSVP: specialevents.asu.edu/iversonlecture2026