a misfit scholar
Lectures & Speaking
As a self-described misfit scholar, Gavin blends academic rigor with public art, community engagement, and cultural storytelling. His lectures and presentations invite audiences to think dynamically about Indigenous creativity, muralism, representation, and the power of visual culture in contemporary public spaces.
King, F. (Host), & Healey, G. A. (Interviewee). (May 14, 2025). Gavin A. Healey on “Demistifying” Native Graffiti and Aerosol Muralism of the Pandemic (Season 3 Episode 5) [Audio podcast episode]. In Native Circles Podcast. https://nativecirclespodcast.com/2025/05/14/season-3-episode-5-gavin-a-healey-on-demistifying-native-graffiti-and-aerosol-muralism-of-the-pandemic/
Healey, G. A., (2025, June 27). Native Graff Glyphs: Indigenous Graffiti Muralism and Style Writing [Panel Contributor]. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, Oklahoma City, OK.
Healey, G. A. (2025, June 28). COVID-19 in Indian Country: Native American Memories and Experiences of the Pandemic [Panel Contributor]. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, Oklahoma City, OK.
Healey, G. A. (2025, November 6). “Indigenous Graffiti Muralism and Geosemiotics: Interfacing Public Dialectics [Conference Presentation/Panel Contributor] Indigenous Public Art Panel. Native American Art Studies Association Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Healey, G.A. (2020-2023). Sacred Walls: Southwestern Native American Graffiti Muralism [Exhibition]. Artists: Dwyane Manuel, Anitra “Yukue” Molina, and Jaque Fragua. Tucson Desert Art Museum, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2023, April 7). Cross-cultural interactions in public space: A geosemiotic reading of Indigenous aerosol muralism [Conference Presentation]. World Social Sciences Association Conference, Tempe, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2021, April 13). “Native Hip Hop: The Harmonics of Survivance on the Modern Landscape” [Guest Lecture], Ethnic Studies ES 270: Elements of Hip Hop, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Invite a Misfit…
From classrooms to conferences, Gavin offers engaging talks that connect scholarship, art, and community.
Healey, G. A. (2019, November 5). “American Indians in the American Consciousness.” Guest Lecture Ethnic Studies ES 200: Race, Ethnicity and Film, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2019, April 11). Painting from the Desert to the Butte: A Comparative Analysis of Community Murals on the Salt River and Cheyenne River Reservations [Conference Presentation]. World Social Sciences Association Conference, San Diego, CA.
Nelson, C., & Healey, G. A. (2019). Indigenous Icons and Theory [Conference Presentation] (Accepted, unable to attend due to budget). Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, Auckland, New Zealand.
Healey, G. A. (2019, November 6). “Mixed Methods: Survivance Theory and Q-Methodology” [Guest Lecture], Ethnic Studies ES 600: Research Methods in Ethnic Studies, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2018, February 23). “American Indians in Film” [Guest Lecture], Ethnic Studies ES 200: Race, Ethnicity and Film, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2018, April 19). Projections of the Feminine in American Indian Muralism: Visual Sovereignty and Self-Determination in Public Spaces [Conference Presentation]. World Social Sciences Association Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Baker, S. (2017, December 2).(Interviewee). Lights…Camera…Scenery. Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. https://www.tucsonlifestyle.com/
Healey, G. A. (2016). Unmasking the acrylic mist: Stamps of survivance through American Indian graffiti muralism on the semiotic landscape [Conference Presentation]. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference, Honolulu, HI. *Paper was accepted for presentation, unable to attend.
Healey, G. A. (2015, April 17). Unmasking the acrylic mist: Demystifying graffiti muralism and the visual harmonics of American Indian signatures on the modern landscape [Poster Presentation]. Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDP) Annual Showcase, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. *Selected representative American Indian Studies for advanced/innovative research.
Healey, G. A. (2014-15, December 7). “Social semiotics: American Indian public art, politics, and place perceptions” [Guest Lecture], AIS 160A1: Many Nations of Native America. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2015, July 2). The Writing is on the wall: Native American street art and muralism [Invited Speaker], Idyllwild Art Academy Native American Summer Arts Program. Idyllwild, CA.
Healey, G. A. (2014-15, December 5 & March 25). “At Play with talismans: The theatre of mascot imagery” [Guest Lecture], AIS 160A1: Many Nations of Native America. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A., & Jones, T. (2014). EcoTourism Nation Building Project for Nambe Pueblo, New Mexico. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Native American Projects.
Healey, G. A. (2014, February 15). “Activism and Indigenous muralism: aerosol art for the new public” [Guest Lecture], LRC 595A: Multilingualism in Ecological Perspective: Linguistic Landscapes. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Begay Jr., M., & Healey, G. A. (2013). American Indian Studies Event Planning Manual. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona, American Indian Studies Department.
Healey, G.A., & Nelson, J. (2013). No Rezervations: Artworks of Jonathan Nelson, Jeremy Singer, and Ryan Huna Smith. The Cube, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2013). “Activism on our walls: Indigenous activist street art” [Guest Lecture]. AIS 220: Contemporary Issues. February 5. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2013). Read the writing on the wall: Memes of indigenous street art by the American Indian Mural Krew [Conference Presentation]. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference. Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Healey, G. A. (2012). A (re)imagining of the indigenous picturesque: Reclamation of images through alternative media [Conference Presentation]. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference; Uncasville, CT.
Healey, G. A. (2011-12, November 28 & February 28). “Riding the waves of time in American Indian literature and Ofelia Zepeda’s Ocean Power” [Class Presentation]. AIS 160A1: Many Nations of Native America. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2011-12, August 31 & February 8). “Stereotypes: American Indians in ‘alternative’ media” [Class Presentation]. AIS 160A1: Many Nations of Native America. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2011, May 24). “American Indians in the media: From historical falsehoods to contemporary indigenous reclamation” [Guest Lecture], Ha:san Preparatory Leadership School, Tucson, AZ.
Healey, G. A. (2009, March 20). Examinations of a cultural dialectic: Assimilation vs. identity in the two worlds of Linda Hogan’s Power [Conference Presentation]. Native American Literature Symposium. Albuquerque, NM.