Early results from an emerging model for American Indian programming

1. David Wilsey, PhD
Extension Educator
Forestry & American Indian Programs
University of Minnesota
ANREP 2010: Lessons from the Last Frontier
27 ‐ 30 June

2. The World was created when muskrat
brought mud from the bottom of the flood to
be placed on turtle’s back. The turtle’s shell
has thirteen central plates.
The traditional Ojibwe calendar year
follows a thirteen-moon lunar cycle.
The names of each moon are influenced by
natural phenomena, animal activity, and
cultural practices and beliefs. !

3. The Idea: !
A partnership between !
UMN Extension and!
Fond du Lac Band!

4.  ~100,000 acres (~30,000 held)
 3,800 enrollees
 Wetlands with wild rice
 Mixed forest cover

5.  The Idea:
 Build a FDL /
UMN
Extension
Partnership

6. To “Sound Out.”
A rapid appraisal method of
directly learning about
peoples context ‐ goals,
experiences, problems,
perspectives ‐ and doing so
from the people themselves.

7. Disconnect! Monday
 Individuals and
Natural Resources
 Individuals and Tuesday
Social (non‐family)
Networks
 Individuals and Wednesday
Ojibwe Culture

13.  The right approach:
 Assessing needs/interests
 Themes & content
 Delivery methods
 Ephemeral leadership
 Making first contacts:
 Individuals in community
 Leaders and institutions
 Building an invested network:
 Links to Extension/RMD (more)
 Intra‐community links (less)
 Links to related events/experiences

14.  Program structure / timing
 Every 3rd Thursday? or When the sap is running?
 Hollow program?
 Links to UMN Extension
 Evaluation
 Who came?
 Evaluation of outcomes, etc
 Administration
 Who is / should be driving?
 Program ownership (responsibility)

16.  Seasonal content (1/3)
 More of the same…
 (plus evaluation!)
 Core content (2/3)
 Linkages to FDL Tribal
College
 Linkages to UMN
Extension
 Course adaptation and
development

17. Thirteen Moons! Tribal College Extension Program!
Seasonal! Seasonal!
Depth Core!
Breadth Breadth

18.  Certificate program (3/3)
 Formalizes linkages
between community
experts, learning
institutions, and
practical / cultural
knowledge through a
credit program comprised
of classroom and
experiential learning

19. dwilsey@umn.edu
http://giizis13.wordpress.com
David Wilsey, PhD
Assistant Extension Professor and Educator
Forestry & American Indian Programs
University of Minnesota
27 ‐ 30 June 2010
Support
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Renewable Resources Extension Act
USDA / NIFA