Lawrence W. Gross Ph.D.
Full Professor; San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Endowed Chair of Native American Studies
Race & Ethnic Studies, Faculty Experts
Education
- Ph.D., religious studies, Stanford University
- M.A., religious studies, Stanford University
- A.M., regional studies, East Asia, Harvard University
- B.A., Japanese, University of Minnesota
Professional Background
- Associate professor and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Endowed Chair of Native American Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies Program, University of Redlands, 2015–present
- Assistant professor and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Endowed Chair of Native American Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies Program, University of Redlands, 2011–2014
- Assistant professor, Department of Native American Studies, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 2007–2011
Areas of Expertise
- Native American studies
- Race and ethnic studies
Publications
Book
- Gross, Lawrence W. Anishinaabe Ways of Knowing and Being. Farnham, Surrey, UK: Ashgate Publishing, 2014.
Referred Articles
- “Some Elements of American Indian Pedagogy from an Anishinaabe Perspective.” American Indian Culture and Research Journal 34, no. 2 (2010): 11–26.
- “Healing and Humor in the Non-Fiction Works of Jim Northrup.” Wicazo Sa Review 24, no. 1 (Spring 2009): 65–87.
- “Assisting American Indian Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Cope with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Lessons from Vietnam Veterans and the Writings of Jim Northrup.” American Indian Quarterly 31, no. 3 (Summer 2007): 373–409.
- “Silence as the Root of American Indian Humor: Further Meditations on the Comic Vision of Anishinaabe Culture and Religion.” American Indian Culture and Research Journal 31, no. 2 (2007): 69–85.
- “Teaching American Indian Studies to Reflect American Indian Ways of Knowing and to Interrupt Cycles of Genocide.” Wicazo Sa Review 20, no. 2 (Fall 2005): 187–234.
- “The Trickster and World Maintenance: An Anishinaabe Reading of Louise Erdrich’s Tracks.” Studies in American Indian Literatures 17, no. 3 (Fall 2005): 48–66.
- “Cultural Sovereignty and Native American Hermeneutics in the Interpretation of the Sacred Stories of the Anishinaabe.” Wicazo Sa Review 18, no. 2 (Fall 2003): 127–134.
- “The Comic Vision of Anishinaabe Culture and Religion.” American Indian Quarterly 26, no. 3 (Summer 2003): 436–459.
- “Bimaadiziwin, or the ‘Good Life,’ as a Unifying Concept of Anishinaabe Religion.” American Indian Culture and Research Journal 26, no. 1 (2002): 15–32.
Invited Articles
- “American Indian Cultures, Humor in.” In Encyclopedia of Humor Studies, edited by Salvatore Attardo. 1st ed., vol. 1. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Reference, 2014.
- “Anishinaabe Religious Traditions.” In Encyclopedia of Religion, edited by Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed., vol. 1. New York: Macmillan, 2004.
- “The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.” In Native Americans, edited by Donald Grinde, 117–123. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2002.
Review Articles
- Review of Anishinaabe Syndicated: A View from the Rez, by Jim Northrup. Wicazo Sa Review 29, no. 1 (2014): 102–105.
- Review of Losing Ground: The Displacement of San Gorgonio Pass Cahuilla People in the 19th Century, by Louis Doody and Betty Kikumi Meltzer. Southern California Quarterly 96, no. 1 (2014): 117–119.
Current Research Project
- Book manuscript: Native American Conservative Political Philosophy.
Presentations
2014–2015
- “No Laughing Matter: The Real World Consequences of the Comic Vision of the Anishinaabeg.” Social Justice Initiative Mellon Project Address, University of California, Davis, May 2015
- Anishinaabe Ways of Knowing and Being book reading. Pitzer College, Claremont, California, February 2015
- “How Traditional Storytelling and Activities Help Make the Anishinaabeg Defenders of the Earth: A Case Study in Making Maple Syrup.” American Academy of Religion Conference, San Diego, November 2014
- “Building a Native American Studies Program at a Liberal Arts University.” 18th Annual New American Colleges and Universities Summer Institute, University of Redlands, June 2014
- “The Conventions of Anishinaabe Rhetoric: Claiming Native Forms of Speech to Empower Native People.” 15th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference, Arizona State University, February 2014
2012–2013
- Chair, “Applying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” panel. American Academy of Religion Conference, Baltimore, November 2013
- “The Connection Between Anishinaabe Language, Worldview, Morality, and Processes of Conflict Resolution.” American Academy of Religion Conference, Chicago, November 2012
- “Native American Veterans and the Healing Tradition of the Comic Vision of Native American Traditions.” Keynote address, Wisdom Through the Ages Conference, University of Redlands, November 2012
- Chair, “Applying the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” panel. 13th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference, Arizona State University, February 2012
2010–2011
- Chair, “What Do We Do Now to Facilitate Healing Between Mainstream Society and Indian Country?” panel. 12th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference, Arizona State University, February 2011
- “Storytelling in the Anishinaabe Context: Listening, Speaking, Learning, Living.” Earth Rights: Learning the Languages of Indigenous Environmentalism Conference, Montana State University, Bozeman, April 2010
2008-2009
- “Storytelling in the Anishinaabe Context: Listening, Speaking, Learning, Living.” Native American and Indigenous Studies Conference, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, May 2009
- “Some Elements of American Indian Pedagogy from an Anishinaabe Perspective.” 10th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference, Arizona State University, February 2009
- “The Rhetoric of Anishinaabe Sovereignty: The Struggle for Treaty Rights as Documented in Jim Northrup’s Newspaper Column ‘The Fond du Lac Follies.’” 40th Algonquian Conference, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, October 2008; Western States Rhetoric and Literacy Conference, Montana State University, Bozeman, October 2008
- “Using Traditional Activities to Help Anishinaabe Veterans Cope with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Preliminary Hypothesis and Report on Future Research Plans.” Native American and Indigenous Studies Conference, University of Georgia, April 2008
- “A Modest Proposal for Developing Classes to Teach the Art of Storytelling.” Storytellers of the Americas Conference: Honoring John Mohawk’s Life and Work, University at Buffalo, March 2008
2006–2007
- “Using Traditional Knowledge from Native Cultures to Promote Healing: A Case Study of the Anishinaabe.” American Academy of Religion Conference, San Diego, November 2007
- “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Veteran.” Keynote address, Veteran’s Health and Wellness Day, Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls, Minnesota, May 2007
- “Assisting Veterans Cope with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Religious Rituals: Lessons from American Indian Societies.” A. C. Clark Library Lecture Series, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota, March 2007
- “Storytelling and Cultural Survival in the Wake of an Apocalypse: The Case of the Anishinaabe.” Public lecture, University of California, Davis, May 2006
- “The History of the Oral Tradition of the Anishinaabe in the 20th Century.” American Literature Association Conference, San Francisco, May 2006
2004–2005
- “Silence as the Root of American Indian Humor.” Indigenous Professors Association Conference, University of Kansas, March 2006; Art Gliner Center for the Study of Humor public lecture, University of Maryland, November 2005
- “Doing Theory Indian Style: The Development of the Idea of Postapocalypse Stress Syndrome.” Indigenous Professors Association Conference, University of Kansas, March 2005
- “Postapocalypse Stress Syndrome and the Anishinaabe.” All Ivy Native American Student Conference, Brown University, February 2005
- “Postapocalypse Stress Syndrome and Rebuilding American Indian Communities.” The Role of Research in Building Communities: The African American and First Nations Experience Conference, University of Kansas, November 2004
2001
- “The Liberating and Healing Power of the Trickster: A Case Study of Nanabush in the Anishinaabe Tradition.” International Society for Humor Studies Conference, University of Maryland, July 2001; Midwest Regional American Academy of Religion Conference, Chicago, March 2001
- Participant, “Humor and Religion,” panel. Midwest Regional American Academy of Religion Conference, Chicago, March 2001
1990s
- “Legitimate Versus Illegitimate: Towards a Hermeneutics of Transmission in Zen Buddhism.” American Academy of Religion Conference, Boston, November 1999
- “Minnesota in the Myths of the Midewiwin: Establishing a Sense of Place in a New Homeland.” American Studies Association Conference, Montreal, October 1999
- “Manzan Dôhaku on Lineage Transmission: An Analysis of the Manzan Oshô Tômon Ejo Shû.” “Dôgen and Sôtô Zen” Symposium, Center for Buddhist Studies, Stanford University, October 1999
- “Myth and Meaning in the Earth Diver Story of the Minnesota Ojibwe.” Who Will Listen and Remember: Anishinaabeg of the Great Lakes Region Symposium on History, Culture, and Contemporary Issues, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, September 1999
- “Ojibwe Views of Ecology: Yesterday and Today.” Celebrate Diversity Series, Iowa State University, February 1999
- Respondent, “American Buddhism and Ecology,” panel. Consultation on Buddhism and Ecology, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University, May 1996
- “Manzan Dôhaku on Lineage Transmission: An Analysis of the Manzan Oshô Tômon Ejo Shû.” Association for Asian Studies Conference, Honolulu, April 1996
- “Making the World Sacred, Quietly, Carefully: Silence and Concentration in the Sôtô Zen and Ojibwa Indian Experience.” New England–Maritime Regional American Academy of Religion Conference, Harvard University, March 1996
- “Silence and Concentration in the Sôtô Zen and Ojibwa Indian Experience.” “Crossing Boundaries: Perspectives on Ojibwa Religion” Symposium, University of Vermont, November 1995; 2nd Annual Bay Area Native American Graduate Student Conference, Stanford University, April 1995; 1st Annual Bay Area Native American Graduate Student Conference, Stanford University, April 1994
- “Chippewa Views of Ecology: Yesterday and Today.” 2nd Annual Bay Area Native American Graduate Student Conference, Stanford University, April 1995
- “Manzan Dôhaku and Lineage Transmission.” Public lecture, Smith College, April 1995
- “From Hagiography to History in the Case of Manzan Dôhaku.” Western Regional American Academy of Religion Conference, Santa Clara University, March 1994
Media Appearances
- Lee, Tanya H. “50 Years Later Native American Studies Still Evolving: 6 New Programs.” Indian Country Today Media Network, May 21, 2014.
- Scott, Cynthia. “Making Peace with War.” Minnesota Magazine, Fall 2013.
- Interview, Plugged Inland, KVCR Television, San Bernardino, California, September 22, 2012. Topic: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians initiative at the University of Redlands.
- “Professor Launches Website for Veterans.” This Week from Indian Country Today, vol. 1, no. 18 (May 25, 2011), 19.
- MSU News Service. “MSU Professor Launches Web Site to Aid Veterans with PTSD.” Bozeman Chronicle, April 17, 2010, C5; Montana State University, April 11, 2011.
- “Montana State University Professor Launches Website to Help Veterans With PTSD.” Indian Country Today Media Network, April 11, 2011.
- Interview, KBZK Television, Bozeman, Montana, April 14, 2011. Topic: veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, and religious rituals.
- Interview, KTVM Television, Bozeman, Montana, April 11, 2011. Topic: veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, and religious rituals.
- Russell, Lauren. “American Indians Have a Unique Take on Environmental Issues, Presenters Say.” Bozeman Chronicle, April 3, 2010, A1.
- Kapralos, Krista J. “Warriors and Patriots: Many American Indians Served before Getting Full Citizenship Rights.” The Herald (Everett, Washington), July 3, 2009, A1.
- Interview, KRFP Radio, Moscow, Idaho, April 1, 2007. Topic: veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, and religious rituals.
- Interview, KAXE Radio, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, March 21, 2007. Topic: veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, and religious rituals.
Awards and Service
Awards and Honors
- Innovative Teaching Award nominee, University of Redlands, March 2013.
- Golden Eagle Award, Sherman Indian High School, Riverside, California, September 2012 (for volunteer service to the school).
- Anna K. Fridley Distinguished Teaching Award nominee, Montana State University, March 2010 and November 2010.
- President’s Excellence in Teaching Award nominee, Montana State University, February 2009, February 2010, and November 2010.
- Mortar Board Professor of the Month Award nominee, Montana State University, December 2009.
- Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers Writer of the Year Award (Academic Article, 2006–2007) for “Assisting American Indian Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Cope with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Lessons from Vietnam Veterans and the Writings of Jim Northrup,” 2008.
- American Indian Studies Academic Achievement Award, Iowa State University, 2005 (for publishing five peer-reviewed articles within four years).
- Allyn Russell Prize for Best Graduate Student Paper, New England–Maritime Regional American Academy of Religion, 1996, for “Making the World Sacred, Quietly, Carefully: Silence and Concentration in the Sôtô Zen and Ojibwa Indian Experience.”
- Joseph Fletcher Award for Excellence in Master’s Essay, Harvard University, 1988, for “Seeing the Everyday World as Sacred: Japanese Approaches to the Religious Experience.”
University and Professional Service
- Board of directors, American Indian Studies Association, 2014–present
- Steering committee, Native Traditions of the Americas Group, American Academy of Religion, 2012–present; 2009–2010
- Contributing editor, Wicazo Sa Review, 2011–present
University of Redlands
- Member, Curriculum Committee, School of Business.
- Participant, Department Chairs and Directors meetings.
- Member, College of Arts and Sciences Assembly.
- Member, University Assembly.
- Liaison with Sherman Indian Boarding School, Riverside, California.
- Liaison with Noli Indian School, San Jacinto, California.
- Liaison with Morongo Band of Mission Indians School, Banning, California.
- Additional service responsibilities associated with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Endowed Chair.
Montana State University, Bozeman
- Library liaison, Department of Native American Studies
- Bemidji State University
- Volunteer grant writing for the American Indian Resource Center
Iowa State University
- Panel organizer, “American Indians in the Academy: Challenges and Responses,” Conference on Race and Ethnicity
- Faculty advisor, Religious Studies Club
- Liaison work with the Mesquakie Indians for the American Indian Studies Program
- Member, American Indian Studies Program Advisory Committee
University of Vermont
- Co-organizer, “Crossing Boundaries: Perspectives on Ojibwa Religion” symposium
Community and Educational Engagament
- Volunteer tutor, Naytahwaush Community Charter School, Naytahwaush, Minnesota (2007), serving combined fifth- and sixth-grade classes on the White Earth Reservation
- Student tutor and volunteer, Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, White Earth Tribal and Community College, 2005–2006
- Guest researcher, A.C. Clark Library, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota, 2006–2007
- Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Diversity Fellow, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2005–2006
- Assistant professor (joint appointment), Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and American Indian Studies Program, Iowa State University, 1998–2005
- Lecturer, Department of Religion, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, 1996–1998
Graduate Mentorship
Doctor Of Philosophy Committees
- Emerson Bull Chief. “Apsaalooke Ways of Knowing: Bridging Academia and Traditional Knowledge.” Doctor of Philosophy candidate. American Studies. Montana State University, Bozeman, in progress
- Burgess, Benjamin. “Clan-Destined Communities: Clan Identity in Ojibwe Literature.” Doctor of Philosophy. Native American Studies. University of California, Davis, 2008
- Sample, Joseph. “Rhetoric in Cross-Cultural Appropriation: A Case Study of Chinese and European ‘Enlightenment’ Periods.” Doctor of Philosophy. Rhetoric and Professional Communication. Department of English. Iowa State University, 2004
- Noori, Margaret. “Native American Literature in Tribal Context: Anishinaabe Aadisokaanag Noongom.” Doctor of Philosophy. Department of English. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2001
Master's Committees
- Lynn Doyle, Thesis topic to be determined. Master of Arts. Department of Native American Studies. Montana State University, in progress
- Miller, Colin. "An Examination of Native American Studies at Montana State University and Its Relationship to Montana's Tribal Colleges." Master of Arts. Department of Native American Studies. Montana State University, 2011
- Gorelova, Elena. “Native American Sovereignty and Literature.” Master of Arts. Department of Native American Studies. Montana State University, 2009
- Wingo, Rebecca. “Indian Gaming: The Montana Stalemate.” Master of Arts. Department of Native American Studies. Montana State University
- Coppoc, Jim. “The Ethos of Slam Poetry.” Master of Arts. Literature and Creative Writing. Department of English. Iowa State University, 2004
- Rodriguez, Ryan. “Cycles of Love and Confusion.” Master of Arts. Creative Writing. Department of English. Iowa State University, 2002
- Yuan, Yuan. “Waterway House: An Experiment in Daoist Design.” Master of Architecture. Department of Architecture. Iowa State University, 2001
- Bhutipunthu, Danaya. “Insight Meditation and Its Relationship to Graphic Design.” Master of Fine Arts. Graphic Design. Department of Art and Design. Iowa State University, 2000
Affiliations
- American Academy of Religion
- American Studies Association
- American Indian Studies Association
- Native American and Indigenous Studies Association