Building collaborations with Tribal Nations, health care and higher ed

The Center for Indigenous People, Health and Nursing of North America was launched in September 2023 under the inaugural director Misty L. Wilkie, PhD, RN, FAAN, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa/Métis. The purpose of the center is to build respectful, collaborative relationships with Tribal Nations, health care and higher education institutions, and federal and state agencies. The center will collaborate with community organizations, prepare doctoral Indigenous nurses, and develop evidence-based interventions and best practices with stakeholders to eradicate health disparities in Indigenous communities.

The social inequities and alarming rate of health disparities for Indigenous people have been well documented. Yet, they are often overlooked and excluded because of their population size in comparison to other racial and ethnic minority groups. The Center for Indigenous People, Health and Nursing of North America will contribute to highlighting the beautiful, resilient, rich culture while serving the citizens of Minnesota’s 11 Tribal nations, their communities, and beyond through collaboration and advocacy.

An advisory board was established with the first meeting held May 1. The board is comprised of Dean Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP, the school’s three American Indian/Alaska Native faculty (Wilkie, Lisa Martin, PhD, RN, PHN, AHN-BC, FAAN, and Margaret Moss, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN), representatives from the School of Nursing and University of Minnesota, and Tribal members from local , state and national organizations.

The initial meeting ensured the drafted mission and vision statements reflect the goals and initiatives of the group and the School of Nursing. Strategic goals and objectives will braid research, education and community engagement together. 

Early accomplishments include establishing an affiliation agreement with Great Plains Area, Navajo and Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service, Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Health Center, and Oyate Health Center. Any student can utilize these facilities for clinical and practicum hours. These facilities want to showcase their organizations and communities with the hope to attract and employ nurses at Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice levels.

Already, the school has the largest number of American Indian/Alaska Native students in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the country, and Wilkie says that number will grow with new students joining the school in the fall.