American Indian Learning Resource Center

Background

UMD: A Leader In American Indian Studies and Success

Forty years ago, the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) was one of the first higher education institutions in the United States to recognize American Indian studies as a unique discipline.
Today, UMD boasts one of the largest American Indian student populations in the United States; about 125 American Indians and Alaskan Native students are currently enrolled.
UMD American Indian studies has over 20 different programs and services currently scattered throughout its campus. These programs seek to increase the number of American Indians in fields such as biomedical research and health sciences, and support studies geared toward American Indian communities, professional needs such as education, tribal governance, and social work.
These programs have measurable results; the University graduates the third highest number of American Indian physicians in the country, with a large number of these students completing their first two years at UMD.

Project Description

A Premier Center for American Indian Culture

Construct a new four-story facility to consolidate American Indian studies programs into one building prominently located on the southwest corner of campus.
Construct classrooms, a library, a computer lab, and space for faculty and student services.
Build conference rooms and a large gathering area where Native and non-Native students, faculty and staff will hold events and cultural discussion.
Provide a home for UMD's Mishoomis Collection Library—the second largest American Indian library in the Upper Midwest. The center will also house more than 1,000 of UMD's American Indian artifacts.
Create an outdoor gathering space that reflects environmental stewardship, a core ethos of American Indian culture.

Contributing to Student Achievement

Promote a diverse and inclusive campus environment, by providing a cultural center for everyone.
Enhance student research and discovery. This new facility will serve non-Native students as well; the majority of students taking American Indian classes are non-Native.
Increase the recruitment and retention of American Indian and Alaskan Native students. UMD is the ideal location for first generation college students, with retention and graduation rates significantly higher than the national norm.

Creating Community

Celebrate Duluth's cultural diversity; American Indians are the single largest minority group in the city of Duluth.
Centralize integrated outreach activities, which receive strong support from regional tribal organizations, private partnerships, and the local community. These activities include language immersion and early childhood education.
Host public events that strengthen local relationships and emphasize the importance of education.

*Dollar amounts have been rounded