Being Better Relatives: How the University of Minnesota could transform its relationships with American Indians

Abstract

The University of Minnesota (University) has strained relationships with American Indians due to harmful actions, starting with the founding of the University and continuing to the present. This paper examines these issues and presents a strategic framework based on the University’s Mission Statement to support the building and nurturing of better relationships. A key impetus for change is the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Resolution of June 2020, which requests a number of actions from the University that are important to repairing the relationships. This paper analyzes these requests, and finds they generally align with the guiding principles of the Mission Statement and MPact 2025, the University’s Systemwide Strategic Plan. However, the University system is large and complex, and includes pockets of ignorance of American Indians, which pose significant barriers to effective and lasting organizational transformation. The paper reviews the history of the University’s relationships with American Indians, settler colonialism, and how other universities and the State of Minnesota are working to improve relationships with Indigenous peoples. Reviewing strategic management literature about organizational transformation provides further analysis to understand how to enact cultural change. The paper concludes with recommended actions, linking them to the MIAC Resolution and MPact 2025, the University’s Systemwide Strategic Plan.