UMAC 2005

South Dakota Space Grant Consortium: Building Bridges in Indian Country: 

South Dakota Space Grant Consortium: Building Bridges in Indian Country UMAC Annual Meeting Grand Forks, North Dakota February 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2005 Dr. Jacquelyn Bolman Manager of Special Projects NASA Workforce Development South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Building Bridges in Indian CountryOverview of Presentation: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Overview of Presentation Goals of SDSGC Efforts with Tribal Communities. Current Projects and Partnerships. Accomplishments and Achievements. Future Directions. Critical Points. Questions and Closing.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryGoals: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Goals Increase and ensure the recognition of the inherent value of Native perspectives on earth system and space sciences. Develop “equitable” and “sustainable” partnerships and collaborations with Tribal Colleges and Tribal Communities. Develop projects/programs which balance Indigenous science and ways of knowing with current findings in contemporary science. Increase the number of Native scientists and engineers. Encourage and support development of new initiatives.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryCurrent Partnerships: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Current Partnerships Members of South Dakota Space Grant Consortium. Tribal Colleges: Sinte Gleska University Oglala Lakota College Salish Kootenai College Si Tanka Lower Brule Community College Sisseton Wahpeton Community College Sitting Bull College Developing partnership: United Tribes Technical College.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryCurrent Partnerships: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Current Partnerships NASA, NSF, USGS/EROS Data Center, and Department of Education. K-12 Schools – 25+ Industry – ITT, Dupont, Dow Chemical, Eastman Kodak and others.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryCurrent Projects: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Current Projects K-12 STEM Outreach – SKILL, NSF Fire Ecology Summer Camp, and NASA THEMIS. Bridge Programs – NSF “Bridges to Success” Summer Research Experience and NASA Workforce Development Fellowship (WFD). College Programs – Coops/Internships, NASA Space Grant & WFD, Office of Multicultural Affairs, AISES and related student organizations. Tribal College Programs – Native Connections, 2005 NASA Space Days/Annual He Sapa Wacipi, Space Grant,WFD and additional partner programs with SDSM&T Institute of Atmospheric Science.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryAccomplishments & Achievements: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Accomplishments & Achievements Current – 84 Native students pursing STEM degrees – 18 at senior status. Current – 8 Native graduate students. Fall 2003 – 22 first-time freshmen & 16 Tribal College transfer students. May 2003, 7 Native graduates and May 2004, 9 graduates. May 2004 – First Native Ph.D. Graduate – Dr. Timothy Bull Bennett. Since 2000, 19 Native graduates in engineering and science.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryFuture Directions: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Future Directions Shared Faculty between Tribal Colleges and SDSGC member universities. Shared courses and research experiences. Ensure “equity” and “access” to Native students, Tribal Colleges and Tribal Communities. Initiate and implement policy at public universities to sustain successful partnerships.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryCritical Points: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Critical Points Native American is the largest untapped “natural resource”! Develop programs and projects which are inclusive of Indigenous science and culture. Recognize the importance of the “human dimension” of earth and space science. Understand the importance of human relationships. Recognize the circular orientation – everything is related. Be open and willing to step outside your comfort zone and “evolve” a new way of understanding.

Building Bridges in Indian CountryClosing: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Closing Sincere “Thank you” to all our students – for their hard work, motivation, intelligence and ability to face adversity. You are the most important!!! A “High-Five” to Sinte Gleska University, Oglala Lakota College and Salish Kootenai College! Especially their staff, faculty and researchers! Sincere “Thank you” to NASA (GSFC), NSF, Dept. of Education and USGS/EROS Data Center! And a warm “Thank you” to all of you – especially UMAC!!

Building Bridges in Indian Country: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Quote: As indicated by Dr. Lionel Bordeaux President of Sinte Gleska University “We feel there is value in … bringing two of the essential points of life, the sky and the earth, together spiritually and technically.” We are building bridges in South Dakota and the builders are from Indian County!

Building Bridges in Indian CountryQuestions: 

Building Bridges in Indian Country Questions Contact Information: South Dakota Space Grant Consortium 501 East Saint Joseph Street Rapid City SD 57701 (605) 394-2472 or (605) 394-1975 jacquelyn.bolman@sdsmt.edu http://www.sdsmt.edu/space/