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.

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."