Native American and Indigenous Strategic Plan Launching Soon
April 2, 2024
The tides are turning here at Northwestern. Nearly ten years ago, in November 2014, the Native American Outreach and Inclusion Task Force published a report consisting of recommendations to broaden Northwestern’s knowledge and relationships with Native American tribes and communities, including gaining a greater understanding of the need for Native American presence at Northwestern. Since then, we’ve launched the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, recruited Indigenous students, faculty, and staff, launched a Native American and Indigenous Studies minor, and will be celebrating our 3rd annual Traditional Spring Pow Wow, hosted by our Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (just to name a few!). While these initiatives mark phenomenal progress, continuing to support the presence of Native American & Indigenous community and ways of knowing requires a concerted commitment across all functions of the University.
Recognizing the need to update and renew our responsibility to Native and Indigenous communities, the Native American and Indigenous Strategic Planning Committee was formed in the Fall of 2022. Comprised of faculty, staff, and students from across the University, the goal of the committee was to develop a set of institutional priorities and a framework for guiding Northwestern’s direction through the end of the 2027 academic year. Over the past year and a half, the committee has engaged in a robust process of collective visioning and planning by conducting focus groups, surveys, interviews, hosting retreats and roundtables to gather community input and feedback, examining the current realities facing Northwestern, and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
After two years of intentional planning, we are thrilled to announce the official launch of Northwestern University's Native American and Indigenous (NAI) Strategic Plan. This plan marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to honoring Native and Indigenous voices and fostering an inclusive campus environment. The plan outlines key priorities over the next three years, including investing in human, space, and financial resources, enhancing Northwestern's leadership efficacy and capacity, creating university-wide knowledge grounded in Native American and Indigenous perspectives, expanding partnerships with Tribal and Indigenous communities, and increasing support for Native American and Indigenous students. The framework will be based in the pedagogical teachings of the jiimaan (birch bark canoe) and grounded in the reciprocity gift exchange that took place between President Schill and the Northwestern Indigenous community during his inauguration in June of 2023. This plan is not just a document; it's guidance towards action, a blueprint for how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant Northwestern.
We invite you to be part of this journey. Join us as we unveil the strategic plan at the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance’s (NAISA) Third Annual Pow Wow on Saturday, April 27th from 12pm to 5pm at the Welsh-Ryan Arena. This is an opportunity to learn more about the strategic plan, our goals, and how you can get involved. Together, we can create space where Native American and Indigenous people are heard, their identities honored, and where they can thrive as valued members of our community.