Welcome to the UTTC Office of Research

Historically, Native Americans have always been "researchers". In the simplest terms, research is forming a question and systematically searching for the answer. This process was used by Indigenous people long ago to determine the medicinal use of plants, to understand the migratory patterns and behavior of animals, to utilize the constellations, to anticipate weather patterns and to develop cultural life ways, among other things. The primary purpose of research, for Native people, was to understand the world and how to live in it.

Throughout history, however, this Indigenous research process was abandoned as the concept of research became highly westernized. The purpose of research became a scholarly, theoretical model of pure knowledge acquisition. The research agenda of Western researchers, especially with regard to Native peoples, was often to organize, define and preserve Indigenous people in the context of Western thought.

Today, however, Native people are beginning to reclaim their research heritage by placing more emphasis on the role of research in ensuring our existence as unique tribal nations. At United Tribes Technical College, a greater emphasis on research has already supported Native students in their efforts to reclaim their research heritage. UTTC students are taking part in opportunities to research Native nutrition, the tribal environment and other areas in order to provide a Native perspective and involve real-life applications. Additional research efforts at UTTC include the development of the only tribal-college based Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the state and assistance in developing local tribal capacity for research.

The UTTC Office of Research has established the following blueprint to guide on-going research efforts:

Vision:
United Tribes Technical College will be a leader in guiding culturally-appropriate and relevant research in and for Native communities in order to create improved outcomes for Native people of all ages.

Mission:
United Tribes Technical College will facilitate culturally-relevant research, both internally and externally, designed to further the educational, community, economic, cultural/social and spiritual growth of the tribal communities we serve.

Guiding principles:

Research should be conducted in a good way.
Research is for the purpose of addressing a need, righting a wrong, furthering knowledge or awareness of socio-economic issues, and/or improving services. In other words, research conducted on or on behalf of Native people should be applied research.
For Indian Country, research requires a model that includes respect for sovereignty, cultural- and community-relevance, trust and collaboration.
Research is an inherently tribal/Native process.

Goals:

To increase student awareness and involvement in large-scale research projects.
To assist in strategic/programmatic improvement through the effective coordinating of pertinent data (e.g. AIMS, NCA, etc.) and the development of evaluative measures, tools and processes.
To assist in development and resource acquisition efforts through the coordination and dissemination of pertinent data.
To facilitate tribal community development efforts through the development of tribal capacity and vision.
To provide for faculty development with regard to research needs, protocol and outcomes.

For more information about UTTC research, please contact:

Cheryl Long Feather, Ph.D.
Building #11
3315 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
701-255-3285 Ext. 1491
clongfeather@uttc.edu