Risako Sakai
M.A. (she/her/hers)
Okinawan Maritime Anthropologist
I identify myself as an Okinawan woman (i.e., Uchinānchu). I usually go by Risa. I am a PhD Candidate in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University, working with Dr. Drew Gerkey. My research is on marine conservation and Indigenous resurgence, applying decolonizing and Indigenous methodologies. My research areas are Oceania and Okinawa.
Outside of academia, I am an auntie who spoils kids (and animals) and enjoys cooking and going to the beach.
Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located in the traditional territory of the Chepenefa ("Mary's River") band of the Kalapuya. After the Kalapuya Treaty (Treaty of Dayton) in 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to what are now the Grand Ronde and Siletz reservations, and are now members of Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
To learn which Native stolen land you are on: Native Land