Our current issue reflects the Journal's ongoing promotion of focused explorations of specific themes, issues, or topics in Southeast Asian Studies. We welcome special issue proposals that critically re-evaluate or expand our understanding of the region conceptually, methodologically, or empirically. Future special issues in the pipeline will highlight research drawn from international workshops and conferences, regional institutions, and occasional solicited compilations as part of our commitment to increase the access, circulation, and exchange of scholarship on the region. This special issue of JSEAS, edited by Ian Baird, explores the concept of ‘indigeneity’ in Southeast Asia, a foundational category that in broad terms has been used to define our field, its methodologies, and (for many) our intellectual objectives. The articles featured in this issue explore the adoption, interpretation, and application of this concept by communities within the region in various local contexts. The guest editor provides a more detailed Introduction to the issue in the pages that follow.