In higher education we frequently talk about community engagement in terms of partnerships and activities, but the most fundamental way a university engages with communities is physically, through the occupation of space and land use. The University of Minnesota campus is often described as Dakota “homeland, ” and the practice of acknowledging the peoples indigenous to the places where we stand is becoming more common. But what if this is not just Dakota homeland, but is also land that still rightfully — and legally — belongs to the Dakota people? What does that acknowledgement look like, and what action does it require?

All are welcome to join the conversation with presenters:

• Cantemaza (Neil McKay), Senior Dakota Language Specialist, Dept of American Indian Studies
• Monica Siems McKay, Assistant Director, Center of Community-Engaged Learning