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Initiative for Native Nation Relations
Launched in 2021, the mission of the Initiative for Native Nation Relations (INNR) is to draw on the resources of The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University to engage, collaborate with, and serve Native Nations.
INNR pursues research and services activities in response to requests from Native Nations.
Events & Programming
Join us for the 2024 Ptanyétu Powwow on Saturday, November 2, at Apollo High School in St. Cloud, MN! Free and open to everyone.
Current Projects
- Facilitating Native American boarding school truth and healing between monastic communities and affected Native Nations.
- Protecting of wild rice beds and other sacred sites.
- Examining how tribal governments served as leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Mapping and measuring how disparities in access to credit and other banking services disproportionately affect Native communities.
- Facilitating connections between CSB/SJU and Indigenous youth to promote Native youth college access.
- Researching the history of tribal gaming in Minnesota and its position as the first state to sign tribal casino compacts.
INNR in the News
- MPR News reported Children who died at a boarding school in the 1800s return to the White Earth Nation. We’re honored that student researchers in our Initiative for Native Nation Relations played a role in the partnership that made this happen.
- Read A reckoning: St. Benedict nuns apologize for Native boarding school in MPR News.
- PBS News Hour features the efforts of our campus community and White Earth nation to reveal the truth about U.S. history.
- CSB Magazine highlights the important role the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict played in uncovering American History in the Summer 2021 issue!
INNR is Directed by Dr. Theodor Gordon, who currently serves as the Joseph P. Farry Professor and is a faculty member in the Sociology Department. If you have any ideas or questions, please reach out to him at [email protected].