Listening, Learning and Responding: Community-University Partnerships in Minnesota Indian Country

The University of Minnesota Extension American Indian Task Force (AITF) was established by the Dean of Extension in 2006 to improve representation and access of American Indian communities to the University. The interdisciplinary task force listened to and learned from community members by visiting and building relationships on five northern MN tribal nations. As a result, four tribal representatives joined the task force. Staff development for task force members and University staff was provided, leading to community-university partnerships coupling community interests with university expertise and resources. Six educators were hired to work with Tribes in northern Minnesota, providing culturally-specific programs, pursuing interdisciplinary work, and fostering sustainable community-university partnerships. Extension’s $10,000 annual commitment to the AITF operating fund for three years helped leverage over $460,000 in additional funding. The poster was selected through a peer review process for presentation at the Community-Campus Partnerships for Health 11th Conference in Portland, Oregon May 12-15, 2010