Dr. Bernard Perley

Biography

Bernard C. Perley is a Maliseet anthropologist from Tobique Nation, New Brunswick, with diverse academic training spanning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio arts, a Master of Architecture in architectural design from the University of Texas at Austin, and a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. His professional contributions are significant, including roles within the American Anthropological Association as a Core Member of the Task Group on Language and Social Justice, serving on the AAA Executive Board as a minority seat representative, and acting as Ombudsperson since 2018. Bernard's activism emphasizes Indigenous community-based research and advocacy, particularly in relation to language revitalization. His critical analysis challenges conventional narratives surrounding language death, as articulated in his monograph 'Defying Maliseet Language Death: Emergent Vitalities of Language, Culture, and Identity in Eastern Canada.' Bernard's current creative research includes personal projects such as a cartoon series, 'Reservations,' which uses humor to address historical trauma. He engages in ongoing writing, community projects, and pedagogical work that focuses on the integration of language, landscape, and identity for Indigenous language revitalization.

Research Interests