Wiyuskinyan Unpi Tipi (where they live contently): a study on Native student belonging at the University of South Dakota

Abstract

In this dissertation, the impact of Living Learning Communities (LLCs) on Native student sense of belonging is examined and the following research question addressed: How does participation in Wiyuskinyan Unpi Tipi Living Learning Community shape Native students’ sense of belonging at the University of South Dakota (USD)? There is limited research written on Native student experiences in university housing, and this study contributes to that limited body of literature by examining a high impact approach: living learning communities. Through a narrative inquiry approach, student experiences are integrated into the research via one-on-one interviews that are coded for terms. From this analysis, an emergent theory titled Wicahpi Kin Le Inakijinpi (a Reliance on Stars): A Theory of Belonging for Native Students is developed centered on five tenets that impact sense of belonging: Wicoti wico un (Community), Ob tanyan un (Connection), Sloliciye (Sense of Identity / Being Native), Okiyapi (Support), Wounspe iciye (Learning Through Experience). This study encourages Native researchers to develop culturally relevant frameworks to better understand Native student concepts of belonging within their selected institutions.