1. The SKC Indigenous Research Center Study FROGS, FUNDING, FINDINGS, FUTURE Regina Sievert and Cecilia Arnoux Department of Secondary Education, Salish Kootenai College

2. FROGS  The SKC Faculty Research Group – Lori Lambert, Carol Baldwin, Mary BigBow, Co Carew, Regina Sievert, Shandin Pete, Frank Finley  Informal meetings - At SKC for commiserating, generating, incubating  Our epiphany – We need more resources to support students/faculty in pursuing Indigenous research.

3. FUNDING  Our thought - Request for funding from NSF to establish an Indigenous research center at SKC  NSF’s thought – Request for funding to conduct a needs assessment and self study  Funded – One year grant to evaluate the value and feasibility of establishing an IRC

4. FINDINGS TO DATE  Working with Montana Tribal colleges and communities  Surveying TCU students, faculty members  Interviewing Tribal elders, college administrators, Tribal government officials and department heads

5. ELDERS INTERVIEWS  We are different from the rest of the United States. If there was to be research done and in the “right way”, a respectful way, it would be a good thing to help our people.  I just want to see this research center be a reality and do what it supposed to do. People will use it.  It’s not just for us, but for the future.  Start now, don’t wait until tomorrow.

6. FACULTY SURVEY (N=38)

11. STUDENT SURVEY (N=79)

14. SKC ADMINISTRATOR INTERVIEWS  I am hoping that (the center) will take life. It belongs in a tribal college… I think this is very important. It’s us doing instead of it being done to us.  The center would help people to do their research around Indigenous issues in a more responsible and respectful way.  An Indigenous research center is another tool students will have to help them be more successful wherever they end up.

15. FUTURE MOVES  Continue our data collection and analyses  Report our findings to our partners and NSF  Use our findings to help us secure funding for the center, if deemed appropriate

16. Suggestions or Questions? Please contact us:  Cecilia_Arnoux@skc.edu, 406-275-4753  Regina_Sievert@skc.edu, 406-275-4995

17. Louie Adams Mike Durglo, Sr. Pat Pierre