leny strobel

Dr. Leny Mendoza Strobel is a prominent figure in the field of Filipino Indigenous studies and serves as the Project Director at the Center for Babaylan Studies (CfBS). She is recognized as one of the founding mothers of this nonprofit organization, which was established in 2009 to promote Filipino Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices, particularly through the lens of Babaylan discourse.124

Background and Education: Dr. Strobel is a Kapampangan from Central Luzon in the Philippines and is currently a settler on Wappo, Pomo, and Coast Miwok lands in California. She holds a doctorate in international and multicultural education, which has significantly influenced her work in decolonization and re-indigenization efforts among Filipinos in the diaspora.34

Professional Contributions: From 2009 to 2018, Dr. Strobel played a crucial role in organizing various events such as the International Babaylan Conferences, workshops, and retreats aimed at fostering practices of decolonization. Her scholarly work includes notable publications like Coming Full Circle: The Process of Decolonization Among Post-1965 Filipino Americans and Back from the Crocodile's Belly: Philippine Babaylan Studies and the Struggle for Indigenous Memory (co-authored with Lily S. Mendoza).12 Additionally, she is a Professor Emeritus in American Multicultural Studies at Sonoma State University, where she was instrumental in establishing the Center for Babaylan Studies as part of the university's academic offerings until her retirement.14

Current Focus: Dr. Strobel continues to be active in discussions surrounding Indigenous identity, belonging, and the decolonization of thought processes within educational frameworks. Her work emphasizes healing the psyche as part of the broader decolonization journey, advocating for a reconnection with Indigenous practices and perspectives.34