Matt Villeneuve

Matthew Villeneuve is an Assistant Professor of History and American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education. His research focuses on Native education, U.S. history, and the intersections of Indigenous studies with American pragmatism and settler colonialism. A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, his work critiques federal boarding school systems and explores Indigenous agency in educational frameworks.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History, University of Michigan (2021)
• M.A. in Social Science, University of Chicago (2014)
• B.A. in History and Philosophy, University of Oregon (2012)

Research Interests:
Dr. Villeneuve examines the historical roles of Native instructors in federal boarding schools, the Morris Indian Industrial School in Minnesota, and the progressive education movement’s ties to Indigenous communities. His scholarship bridges intellectual history with decolonial methodologies, particularly through analyzing John Dewey’s philosophy and its implications for Indigenous education.
He also engages with Indigenous representation in science fiction and fantasy media through personal and professional lenses.

Publications:
His work addresses topics such as habeas corpus legal frameworks in boarding schools, the role of Indigenous experimentation in educational historiography, and the material culture of maritime borderlands.

Professional Commitments:
As a former American Historical Association Career Diversity Fellow (2018–2020), he advocates for diversifying career pathways for history Ph.D. recipients. His teaching spans American Indian history, Indigenous studies, and environmental history.