Senior advisor reports steady Native enrollment, urges language capacity and reports NAGPRA progress

Karen Diver, Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs, gave the Board the annual Native American Affairs update, reporting "held steady with slight increases in undergraduate and graduate education" while professional student enrollment dipped slightly.

Diver said the Native American Promise Tuition Program has been aided by Minnesota state dollars to cover tuition and fees, helping move students closer to full cost coverage. She tied affordability priorities to the TRUTH Report, which she said reflects tribal priorities communicated to the University.

Diver emphasized a staffing need: "We are in need of an Ojibwe linguist," she said, explaining that language and cultural instruction are protective factors for youth and play a role in wellness and cultural restoration. The Provost and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts were described as aware of the gap and working to find solutions.

On repatriation and collections, Diver described a system-wide inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), noting the University hired dedicated staff who meet monthly with tribal historic preservation officers, and that some items have already been repatriated. She referenced the Mimbres ancestors from the Southwest as an example where affected tribes have driven the process and asked for privacy in timing of returns.

Diver also described the Tribal Liaisons Community of Practice — deans have identified staff liaisons across disciplines to build appropriate, discipline-level relationships with tribal partners, develop consultation guidance and conduct tribal visits after a year of training. She said the Cloquet Forestry Center work with the Fond du Lac Band remains active; legislation to support a transfer of that facility has been included again in the bonding bill after last year’s bonding package failed.

Regents asked questions about the Ojibwe linguist's role, certificate and workforce programs modeled on tribal health successes, and how the strategic plan will sustain growth amid constrained budgets. Diver and President Cunningham described efforts to align workforce-development initiatives (including an Indigenous Health Professionals Alliance), to expand certificate and stackable offerings, and to prioritize investments where feasible.

Diver closed by thanking Regents for their support and noting ongoing conversations with tribal leaders, faculty and administrative partners to implement strategic priorities.