SDI Hosts 2022 Indigenous Planning Summer Institute (IPSI) Event

By AmerCorps VISTA Tatjana Farjadi

The Sustainable Development Institute held its Indigenous Planning Summer Institute (IPSI) during August 8 - August 11 this past month. This long standing event is an opportunity for Indigenous scholars, community members, and Indigenous planners to share their sustainability strategies they have developed in their communities. At this year's IPSI event, the Sustainable Development Institute hosted an number of participants. This included members of the Iḷisaġvik Tribal College located in Utqiaġvik (Barrow) Alaska, and a member of the Sámi community and University; an Indigenous college housed at Diehtosiida, in Kautokeino, Norway. CMN Faculty also participated in the summer institute. The curriculum of IPSI 2022 mirrored the six dimensions of the Menominee Theoretical Model of Sustainability. The learning sessions at IPSI this summer were held at both Whispering Pines Retreat and the College of Menominee Nation's newly donated Environmental Research Center. Sessions included presentations on Nepēw (water), the Menominee Forest, Music and Storytelling, Mindfulness, Lacrosse, Community Dreaming, Indigenous Sustainable Development, and Tea Making. The Sustainable Development Institute looks forward to hosting future IPSI events.

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Here are some pictures from through out the event:

SDI Interns Jeremiah Moses and Cedar Fernandez

introducing the IPSI Icebreakers to the attendees.

SDI Director Thomas Kenote Jr. answering an Icebreaker question 

while (L-R) SDI's Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Intern 

Makena Arndt, Sami Representative Carl John-Marcus Kuhmunen, 

UW-Madison Rep. Tom Dubois, and Iḷisaġvik Reps. Tom Fields and Hal Haynes look on.

SDI's Community Elder Dolly Potts gives a presentation on Nepēw (water).

(L-R) SDI Ag Intern Sasan Shawanokasic, AmeriCorp VISTA Tatjana Farjadi, 

and Professional Development Intern Courtney Behrendt out at the IPSI Campfire.