Joely Proudfit

Joely Proudfit (Luiseño), Ph.D., is (Luiseño/Payomkowishum) Dr. Proudfit holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science with emphasis in public policy and American Indian studies. A three-time tenured full professor, Dr. Proudfit was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. Dr. Proudfit serves as the Department Chair of the American Indian Studies Department. Dr. Proudfit is also the Director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at CSUSM. Dr. Proudfit is also the founder and Executive Director of the California's American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival. The California's American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival (CAIIFF) is a grassroots community event organized by the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) in collaboration with several tribal and university partners. The CAIIFF developed with the aim to bring high quality, culturally relevant, and inspiring films about American Indian lif