MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - June Issue

MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - June Issue

Published on June 1, 2023

June 2023 Edition

Dr. Kevin Leonard

To learn more about Dr. Leonard:

Read the MSU Today article: Kevin Leonard appointed interim director of MSU's Native American Institute

Read the MSU Voices article: Supporting Indigenous communities beyond the land acknowledgment

A FEW WORDS

FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR LEONARD

Boozhoo! Ziigwan!

As we exit spring and get ready for summer and the numerous powwows around the Great Lakes region, I hope this letter finds everyone in good physical and mental health. The Native American Institute (NAI) staff continues to stay busy as we hold listening/visioning sessions with our partners on and off campus. The Michigan State University community has been through a lot this past semester, and I do not have the words to tell you how good it feels to be out meeting with our Tribal leaders on their Nations’ land. Each has been so gracious in welcoming me and the Grassroots Solutions team into their communities. Chi Miigwech! We have a few more visits to conduct and schedule for the coming weeks (see below for more details), but we are making excellent progress and the information we are collecting is invaluable. Remember, if you would like to provide input/feedback about the future of the NAI and the needs of our Indigenous people and Nations, please do not hesitate to reach out to nai@msu.edu or call (517) 355-0124.

Baamaapii!

Kevin P. Leonard, Ph.D.
Interim Director
Native American Institute
University Outreach and Engagement

NAI UPDATE

What is Happening with the Native American Institute?

Since we published our March newsletter, the NAI staff and Grassroots Solutions team have been busy reaching out to our community partners on and off campus to schedule listening/visioning sessions. When possible, we have met in person with the Tribal Nations within the state, but we have also met with numerous partners via Zoom. These sessions are designed to assess the needs and wants of our state's Tribal Nations, Tribal colleges, and other partners. This information will be used to develop a report that will be given to the provost and president of MSU to draw attention to the needs of our Tribal Nations and partners. The input we receive will also help us develop a strategic plan that will guide the NAI moving forward. The final report will also be shared with those with whom we have met, giving MSU, NAI, and the participants joint ownership.

As of June 1, we have met with the following Nations and partners:

  • Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Potawatomi Indians
  • Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
  • Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
  • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
  • Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
  • Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
  • Bay Mills Indian Community
  • Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
  • Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
  • Bay Mills Community College
  • Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
  • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
  • Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
  • United Tribes of Michigan
  • Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways
  • Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center
  • Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments
  • American Indian Health and Family Services

MSU organizations:

  • North American Indigenous Student Organization
  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society
  • Indigenous Graduate Student Collective
  • Native American Law Student Association
  • EAGLE (Native American faculty and staff association)
  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies
  • Indigenous Law and Policy Center (College of Law)

Although we are still working to connect with a few other Tribes and partners, we are on track to complete data collection by June 9. The Grassroots Solutions team, consisting of Christina Kuo (principal) and Misty Blue (evaluation project manager), with assistance from two MSU Native undergrads, will compile the data into a report that will be shared with university administration by the end of August. As mentioned above, the findings will be used to provide direction for the NAI moving forward. The firm will also help draft a position description for the director of the NAI to help identify the individual best suited to lead the Institute. The search for the full-time director should commence in late September or early October.

OTHER NEWS

Department of Religious Studies Uses Inaugural 1855 Professorship Award to Hire Native American Faculty

From left to right: Blaire Morseau and Elan Pochedley

The Native American Institute is pleased to welcome Dr. Blaire Morseau (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians) and Dr. Elan Pochedley (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) to the MSU Native community! Their arrival not only significantly increases the number of Native tenure-track faculty on campus, but also brings two individuals who have the potential to create new collaborations and networks with tribal Nations and communities across the Great Lakes.

Read more about the 1855 Professorship and learn about Dr. Morseau's and Dr. Pochedley’s research interests.

Zhitoowing Meshkooziimgak Mxowe Dedbinowe Maamoweziwin – Building Strong Sovereign Nations

Building Strong Sovereign Nations Newsletter

Building Strong Sovereign Nations (BSSN) is an MSU Extension training series for appointed and elected Tribal Nations officials; Tribal College faculty, administrators, and students; and Tribal administrators and interested community members throughout Michigan.

This series is managed by MSU Extension and the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development, with funding from the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Learn more or register for one or more free training sessions.

TRUTH Project – Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing

Grassroots Solutions team member Misty Blue, who is assisting NAI with listening/visioning sessions, was appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) to coordinate the TRUTH project. In partnership with the 11 federally recognized Tribes, the all-Native research team has developed the final report, titled Oshkigin Noojimo'iwe, Naġi Waƞ P̣etu Uƞ Ihduwaṡ'ake He Oyate Kiƞ Zaniwic̣aye Kte (the spirit that renews through fire heals the people). The report details how the University of Minnesota undermined Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination using genocide, land expropriation, and exploitation of Indigenous knowledge systems to transfer and accumulate wealth. Findings also indicate that the university has participated in the development and teaching of revisionist narratives that conceal the systemic harms perpetuated against Indigenous peoples.

Read the press release and access the full 500-page report.

Submit your programs and events

The Native American Institute would like to help promote Indigenous programming, events, powwows, and social gatherings in future newsletters and/or on social media. If you would like your event reviewed for promotion, please submit a brief write-up that includes title of the event, date, time, location, and other pertinent information, as well as related flyers or images, to nai@msu.edu.

MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - March Issue

MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - March Issue

Published on March 3, 2023

March 2023 Edition

Dr. Kevin Leonard

To learn more about Dr. Leonard:

Read the MSU Today article: Kevin Leonard appointed interim director of MSU's Native American Institute

Read the MSU Voices article: Supporting Indigenous communities beyond the land acknowledgment

A FEW WORDS

FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR LEONARD

Boozhoo! Mino Oshki Biboon! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some rest and relaxation during the holidays. Although time often becomes a blur this time of year, the staff of the Native American Institute (NAI) and I have been busy moving to our new offices within University Outreach and Engagement and are making excellent strides toward our objectives. For instance, we are close to beginning the collection of feedback from our Tribal Communities and partners on and off campus that will help develop a strategic plan to guide NAI into the future. These outreach efforts will bring the staff of NAI into many of your communities. We are looking forward to renewing old and establishing new relationships between Michigan State University and our Indigenous Communities throughout the state.

If you would like to provide input on the future of the NAI, inquire about NAI collaborations, programming opportunities, or services, or promote Native/Indigenous-related programming on or off campus, please do not hesitate to call our office at (517) 355-0124 or email us at nai@msu.edu.

Baamaapii!

Kevin P. Leonard, Ph.D.
Interim Director
Native American Institute
University Outreach and Engagement

NEWS FROM NAI

WE MUST MOVE BEYOND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Stay Strong MSU

A cold and quiet evening on the beautiful campus of Michigan State University was shattered by the sound of gunshots as events unfolded that have forever changed the lives of numerous Spartans, their friends, and families. As we remember and honor the lives of our fellow Spartans Arielle Anderson (Grosse Pointe), Brian Fraser (Grosse Pointe), and Alexandria Verner (Clawson), who were taken from their families and our community way too soon, and as we offer asemaa and burn sage as we pray for the speedy recovery of the five other Spartans (Troy Forbush, John Hao, Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, Nate Statly, and one other) who were wounded during this senseless act of violence, I ask everyone to pause for a moment. Please take a moment before once again offering thoughts and prayers and ask: Why do mass shootings continue to happen and what can we do to change it? In my humble opinion, this new norm is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that our students, our children, and our grandchildren, who once practiced fire drills, now practice sheltering in place and learn to run, hide, or fight in preparation for an active shooter. Society can do better; we must do better.

It will take time, but Spartans are resilient, and we are stronger together. As we have seen over the past few weeks, the Spartan Nation in East Lansing, across the state, country, and world has pulled together to support one another through this tragedy. That strength will help us all heal. Although we will never forget, our Spartan community will get through this and emerge stronger and prouder than ever!

If you would like to donate to the Spartan Strong Fund or help some of those wounded in the attack, see the links below. We have confirmed the GoFundMe pages are legitimate as there have been some reports of scammers trying to make money off this tragedy.

Additional Sources of Information and Reflections

NAI UPDATE

What is Happening with the Native American Institute?

As mentioned in the December issue of this newsletter, we are preparing to assess the needs and wants of our state’s Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges, and other constituents on and off campus. This information will be used to develop a strategic plan that will help guide the direction of the NAI moving forward and the selection of the full-time director of the program.

In December, we sought bids from external research firms to assist NAI staff in the collection of feedback and data from our Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges, and other community partners on and off campus. The selection committee reviewed the applications and in late January approved a firm to move forward in the contract negotiation. The firm met each of the stated criteria, including knowledge of TEK and/or Indigenous/culturally appropriate research methods; experience working with Indigenous people, Tribal Nations, or Tribal Governments; reliability, relatability, and presentation skills; and service fees/costs.

Contract negotiations were successful, with both parties reaching agreement in late February. Thus, it brings me pleasure to introduce to you Grassroots Solutions, a woman-led and majority women-owned firm. Focusing their work through a JEDI lens (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), Grassroots Solutions is recognized as a leader in strategy, evaluation, and capacity-building. The staff of the NAI look forward to working with Christina Kuo (principal) and Misty Blue (evaluation project manager) and their team.

Due to the slight delay in securing a research firm, the data/feedback gathering stage of this process will now occur between March 2023 and June 2023. During this stage, Grassroots Solutions will transcribe notes from these meetings and share them with the communities/individuals surveyed for their feedback and input. Once transcripts are finalized, they will be incorporated into a final report for the provost and associate provost for University Outreach and Engagement. The findings will be used to provide a direction for the NAI moving forward. The firm will also help draft a position description for the director of the NAI and help us identify the individual best suited to lead the Institute by the end of fall semester 2023.


Change in UOE Leadership

From left to right: Laurie Van Egeren, Kwesi Brookins

Not only are there many changes happening with the Native American Institute, but change is also happening within University Outreach and Engagement (UOE). December 31, 2022, marked the final day of Dr. Laurie Van Egeren’s term as interim associate provost for University Outreach and Engagement, a role she had graciously and effectively filled since 2018.

During this time, Dr. Van Egeren restructured UOE to effectively achieve its mission to facilitate engaged scholarship among faculty, staff, students, and community partners. She led the University’s COVID response for community-based activities, engaging over 120 representatives from the university and broader community to provide guidance on practice and policies during the pandemic. Dr. Van Egeren also developed a series of supports for grant development and implementation for the National Science Foundation’s broader impacts criteria to integrate social impact into funded projects, in addition to holding leadership positions in several national organizations that represent engagement and societal impact, including election as president of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium.

She also welcomed the Native American Institute into UOE and worked closely with MSU administration and the MSU Native Community to ensure the continuation of this office and the services it provides. Please join me in thanking Dr. Van Egeren for her service to UOE and MSU and in wishing her continued success as she returns to her position as assistant provost for University-Community Partnerships within UOE.

Dr. Kwesi (pronounced Kway-Si) Brookins joined University Outreach and Engagement as its new associate provost on January 1, 2023. Dr. Brookins returns to his alma mater after serving as vice provost for University Outreach and Engagement and director of the Center for Family and Community Engagement at North Carolina State University. He brings many years of experience as an administrator and leader in outreach and engagement work. He was the lead organizer and author of North Carolina State’s Civic Action Plan, served as a member of the Community of Engaged Faculty Fellows, and is a charter member of the Academy of Outstanding Faculty in Extension and Engagement. A returning Spartan who earned both his doctorate in ecological/community psychology and a Master of Arts in psychology from MSU, Dr. Brookins says that the Native American Institute was one of the things that attracted him to the position and that he looks forward to continuing to support the efforts of the NAI moving forward. Please join me in giving Dr. Kwesi Brookins a warm welcome back home to MSU!

Read MSU Today article announcing Dr. Brookins' appointment

OTHER NEWS

Michigan Diversity Council Presentation Featuring Interim Director Leonard

March 7, 2023, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Leonard will be presenting virtually to the Michigan Diversity Council for their chapter meeting. His presentation, titled "Native Americans in the Workplace: Beyond Land Acknowledgements," will focus on the obligations that come with land acknowledgements in supporting a company's Indigenous employees as well as the sovereignty of local Tribal Nations.

Register here


WDET - NPR Interview

On December 13, 2022, Dr. Leonard was interviewed by Tia Graham of Weekend Edition and CultureShift on WDET – NPR. He spoke with Tia on the importance of land acknowledgements, the obligations that come with them, and ways in which people can learn more about the Indigenous people of Michigan as well as supporting Native-owned businesses.

Listen to the WDET interview

UPCOMING PROGRAMMING/EVENTS

Michigan Indian Leadership Program (MILP)

July 9 – 14, 2023

After being unable to hold MILP over the past two summers due to COVID-19, it is a pleasure to announce that MILP is back for the summer of 2023! This program, coordinated by Ms. Stephanie Chau (member, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians/Citizens), assistant director for undergraduate diversity, is a one-week indigenized summer experience sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at MSU.

What is MILP?

MILP is designed to give Native American youth the opportunity to learn about college, experience life on a university campus, and explore the many exciting educational opportunities in agriculture, food sciences, natural resources, and related fields.

Who participates in MILP?

MILP is designed primarily for Native American youth entering grades 8-12 and other students with a strong interest and involvement in Native American culture and community.

What will I do as a MILP participant?

You will participate in demonstrations, tours, and other hands-on activities designed to give a sampling of what the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has to offer. You will also participate in several other educational, cultural, and social activities.

Evening activities include social time, cultural presentations, and traditional arts such as black ash basket making, beadwork, Indigenous games, or porcupine quill work. MILP participants live on campus in university dorm rooms and eat meals in the dining hall to get a feel for what college life is like. Like many college students on campus, you will do lots of walking every day.

MILP is free for all accepted applicants. This year's program will be held July 9 through July 14, 2023.

Applications are due April 7, 2023.

Learn more about MILP and apply


Ginoojimomin Apii Dibaajimoyang/Our Stories Heal

April 6, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m., Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Auditorium

In 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. This initiative, which includes gathering records from the boarding school era and compiling an official list of boarding school sites, makes visible on a national scale the intergenerational impact federal Indian boarding schools have had on Tribal Communities. This one-day symposium honors that work on a local scale, providing MSU and the Greater Lansing community an opportunity to learn about the intergenerational trauma caused by federal Indian boarding school policies. Attendees will hear firsthand from boarding school survivors and others who can provide the legal, social, and historical context of boarding schools. Through coming together in community to share stories and voices, the symposium looks to provide a space for knowledge and healing.

Learn more and register here

Submit your progams and events for future NAI newsletters

The Native American Institute would like to help promote Indigenous programming, events, and social gatherings in future newsletters. If you would like your event reviewed for promotion, please submit a brief write-up that includes title of the event, date, time, location, and other pertinent information, as well as related flyers or images, to nai@msu.edu.

MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - December Issue

MSU Native American Institute e-Newsletter - December Issue

Published on December 15, 2022

December 2022 Edition

Dr. Kevin Leonard

To learn more about Dr. Leonard:

Read the MSU Today article: Kevin Leonard appointed interim director of MSU's Native American Institute

Read the MSU Voices article: Supporting Indigenous communities beyond the land acknowledgment

A FEW WORDS

FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR LEONARD

Boozhoo! Niin Waabishki Ma'iingan. Nindizhinikaaz migizii nindoodem. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve as Interim Director for the Native American Institute (NAI). I look forward to working with our Tribal Communities on and off campus, the Office of University Outreach and Engagement (UOE), and the Office of the Provost to support, reestablish, and bring stability to the NAI; an office which has been faithfully serving American Indian communities since Dr. George Cornell founded the institute in 1981.

If you would like to provide input on the future of the NAI, inquire about collaborations, programing opportunities, or services the NAI provides, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (517) 355-0124 or email me directly at leonard1@msu.edu. Also, to help keep our partners, Tribal Nations, and other partners informed about what is happening with the NAI, we will distribute this newsletter bimonthly, so watch for our second addition in February!

Baamaapii!

Kevin P. Leonard, Ph.D.
Member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Interim Director
Native American Institute
University Outreach and Engagement

NEWS FROM NAI

What is Happening with the Native American Institute?

The Native American Institute (NAI) has faced some very difficult challenges over the past couple years. These challenges have resulted in very little activity from this office. Nevertheless, the NAI still has the unwavering support of Interim President Woodruff, Interim Associate Provost Jeitschko, Interim Associate Provost for University Outreach and Engagement Van Egeren and her team. Although unfortunate, these challenges have created an opportunity for Michigan State University (MSU) to assess the needs of our state's Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges, constituents throughout the state, and our MSU Native Community about what NAI services have worked, what needs improvement, and the other services and programs the NAI should provide to help support the sovereignty of our tribes and people while strengthening collaborations and relationships between these communities and MSU.

To assist in conducting this assessment, an external research firm is being sought. A search committee was assembled consisting of members of the MSU Native Community and UOE. A request for proposals was distributed in early December and respondent firms will be reviewed over winter break with the goal of selecting the finalist by early January 2023. Two of the main criteria for firms include knowledge of TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) and/or Indigenous/culturally appropriate research methods for work with Indigenous people and Tribal Nations, as well as experience working with Tribal Nations, governments, and people. Once the research firm is secured, we will begin to collect data/feedback from Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges, other constituents, and MSU's Native Community.

The data/feedback gathering stage of this process is set to occur during spring semester 2023. During this stage, the research firm will transcribe notes from these meetings and share these with the communities/individuals surveyed for their feedback and input. Once transcripts have been finalized, the research firm will compile the findings into a final report that will be sent to the Provost and Associate Provost for University Outreach and Engagement. The findings will be used to provide direction for the NAI moving forward. A firm will then assist in drafting a position description for the Director of the NAI with the goal of identifying the individual best suited to lead the Institute into the future by the end of fall semester 2023.


Ellie Mitchell

Photo from the Traverse City Record
Eagle, Dec. 2, 2022

Ellie Mitchell to Temporarily Rejoin NAI

As the process for collecting data from our Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges, constituents, and MSU Native Community about their wants and needs from the NAI begins, the NAI is pleased to announce that Ellie Mitchell (member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan) will be rejoining the Institute as a Tribal Liaison starting December 2022, bringing with her expertise and connections to our Native Communities throughout the state and Great Lakes Region. Ellie will be splitting her time between NAI and American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) where she will be teaching two courses (AIIS 201: Introduction to Indigenous Studies and AIIS 491 Great Lakes Indigenous Fashion) during spring 2023.

Interim Director Leonard shared, "Although we will only have Ellie's assistance until the end of summer 2023, her expertise and relationships across Indian Country will be invaluable to the process of collecting the feedback needed to give direction to the NAI moving forward. I am looking forward to working with her and appreciate her flexibility in stepping away from other obligations to assist in this important process."

OTHER NEWS

Dr. Kristin Arola

New Interim Director Named for American Indian and Indigenous Studies

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Kristin Arola, the Karen L. Gillmore Endowed Associate Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures, as the Interim Director for American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) at MSU. This position opened when Dr. Dylan AT Miner stepped down to become the Dean of the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) at MSU. Arola is a first-generation descendant of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Lake Superior Band of Chippewan Indians located in the western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Arola is an active member of EAGLE (Educating Anishinaabe: Giving, Learning, and Empowering), the native faculty/staff association at MSU, and serves as Co-PI on a National Science Foundation grant focused on partnering with rural and Indigenous communities to enable them to achieve energy sovereignty, or the right to make their own decisions, about energy implementation in their communities.

Arola brings a considerable interdisciplinary range of experiences to this prestigious program designed to illuminate American Indian and Indigenous culture across campus and the state and is well positioned to respond to the changing demands of American Indian and Indigenous peoples everywhere.


Spring 2023 American Indian and Indian Indigenous Studies Courses
(Instructor: Ellie Mitchell)

AIIS 201: Introduction to Indigenous Studies T/Th 12:40-2:00pm
Introduction to American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

AIIS 491: Great Lakes Indigenous Fashion T/Th 10:20-11:40am
This course will examine the role of clothing and wearable art in Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes. Readings and assignments will explore the history of clothing and adornment, as well as contemporary topics such as powwow regalia, ribbon skits, and beadwork. Students will develop an understanding of the role of fashion in self-determination, sovereignty, and community resilience.

Submit your progams and events for future NAI newsletters

The Native American Institute would like to help promote Indigenous programing, events, and social gatherings in future newsletters. If you would like your event reviewed for possible promotion, please submit a brief write up that includes title of the event, date, time, location, and other pertinent information, as well as related flyers or images, to Jennifer Patterson patter34@msu.edu.

Grad Spotlight: Thomas Keene

Grad Spotlight: Thomas Keene

Published on October 14, 2021

Thomas is a third-year student in the dual Ph.D. program in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) and Economics.