The University of Wisconsin–Madison and the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) have cultivated a lasting partnership rooted in shared values of sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and global engagement. It is an outstanding example of the Wisconsin Idea, emphasizing the university’s role in serving the broader community.
Over the years, the institutions have collaborated on a range of initiatives, from joint research projects on historical agricultural practices, to student exchange programs, to participation in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Several regional study centers in UW–Madison’s Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) have played a vital role in these joint efforts.
Lesley Bartlett, associate dean of IRIS, highlighted the significance of the joint efforts, stating, “The ongoing, sustained partnership that people in IRIS and the College of Menominee Nation have developed together represents an unparalleled opportunity for UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students to learn from and with Menominee colleagues, understand hard truths about our histories, and collaborate toward building a better future together.”
From humble beginnings to thriving collaboration
The partnership’s beginning lay in a desire to empower students with new perspectives.
“We wanted to figure out how we could work together in bringing a global perspective to our students,” said Rebecca Edler, sustainability coordinator at CMN. “Then we wanted to reciprocate and see what we could offer UW–Madison as a tribal college.”
When asked how it all started, her answer was simple: Conversations.
“Just sitting down over a meal and getting to know each other as individuals. Not only individuals from UW–Madison, but also from other indigenous communities. Meeting each other, visiting new places, and in doing so, our partnership has grown a lot over time. The relationships that we’ve built with UW–Madison faculty have been amazing and it’s enhanced both UW–Madison and definitely us as well,” said Edler.
UW–Madison supported CMN in their efforts to internationalize their curriculum. In turn, CMN offered invaluable insights into indigenous knowledge and traditions. This initial spark of shared purpose ignited a constant dialogue, evolving into the multifaceted collaboration it is today.
Empowering Indigenous voices on the world stage
A cornerstone of this partnership is amplifying CMN’s voice on the international stage. IRIS centers act as a crucial facilitator, funding CMN delegations to attend events like the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Global Studies Symposium for Best Practices in International Education at Minority Serving Institutions. These forums and symposiums empower CMN to share its perspectives and enable cross-cultural understanding on critical issues.
Knowledge exchange: A two-way street
An extensive exchange of knowledge and materials has been cultivated through the partnership. IRIS centers have donated books and materials to CMN’s library, covering a wide range of topics on indigeneity and internationalization. The centers have also supported CMN’s library development by providing funding for the purchase of books on international topics.
In return, CMN has shared books and resources focused on indigenous authors and Native American studies with UW–Madison. This reciprocal exchange has broadened UW–Madison’s collection and deepened its understanding of indigenous perspectives.
Weaving global threads into curriculum
The “Global Indigeneity and Sustainability” seminar, co-facilitated with Alberto Vargas, associate director of the IRIS Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS), involved representatives and guests from La Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribal Community and other Native American tribal communities in the state of Wisconsin.
It aimed to explore the intersection of indigenous perspectives and global sustainability challenges and featured a diverse range of speakers from various indigenous communities around the world, including Southeast Asia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Latin America, and the Sami region of Norway, Finland, and Sweden. First offered in 2016, the seminar continued throughout multiple semesters and ultimately evolved into a for-credit course at UW–Madison, further solidifying its impact.
The IRIS Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) also delivered international curriculum and facilitated liaisons between CMN faculty and staff and international scholars aimed at promoting better understanding of global indigeneity. In addition, Dr. Rakhmat Hidayat, a CSEAS Fulbright-funded visiting scholar, invited faculty and students from CMN to interact with Indonesian indigenous communities, with CSEAS closely involved in this initiative. Through these efforts, the partnership has empowered both institutions to address challenges and offer new opportunities to students and faculty.
Building bridges through joint research
The partnership shines brightly through joint research projects. A notable joint research project on soil amendments and historical agricultural practices addressed a critical need identified by the Menominee Nation: a decline in commercial agriculture on the reservation and a lack of fresh food options. The ultimate goal? To equip the Menominee community with the tools and knowledge they needed to re-establish a thriving agricultural tradition and achieve food sovereignty.
The project combined traditional ecological knowledge with scientific expertise. Associate Professor Francisco Arriaga from UW–Madison provided the valuable technical guidance, while the Menominee Nation Tribal elders shared their traditional knowledge of gardening practices that have been passed down through generations.
“In this project, we really relied on the expertise that UW–Madison could offer because we’re a small tribal college and we don’t have a lot of these experts in every area,” said Edler. “So we often reach out to other institutions, one of them being UW–Madison.”
This exchange fostered a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture and provided hands-on learning opportunities for CMN faculty, staff, students, and Menominee youth.
Enriching the Wisconsin community
CMN and UW–Madison offer a variety of events that are free and open to the public. Past events have included a joint symposium on “Education and Sustainability in the Upper Midwest and Beyond”, which explored themes of immigration and indigeneity, while a screening of the documentary “Maya Land: Listening to the Bees” sparked dialogue about environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. These events featured participation from indigenous activists, filmmakers, and representatives from both institutions.
Connecting across borders: The Sami exchange
The joint efforts between UW–Madison and the College of Menominee Nation extend around the globe. They build connections with Indigenous communities in other parts of the world, including the Sámi people of Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
Co-financed by CMN and UW–Madison, a delegation from CMN embarked on a study trip to Sápmi to engage with Sámi scholars and community members. Following that trip, CMN and UW–Madison facilitated visits to Wisconsin for several Sámi scholars. The scholars participated in events such as the Women’s Empowerment Summit and Training at CMN and gave presentations at UW–Madison on Indigenous Peoples Day.
These exchanges allowed for the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and cultural perspectives and contributed to a larger global network of Indigenous collaboration. Building on these successes, UW–Madison is currently planning a reciprocal study trip for CMN staff and students to visit Sápmi in the summer of 2025.
The Wisconsin Idea in action
Through this remarkable partnership, the Institute for Regional and International Studies centers, the College of Menominee Nation, and other divisions across UW–Madison have brought the Wisconsin Idea to life, creating a powerful cooperation that benefits both institutions and the wider community.
“The decade-long collaboration of LACIS and other IRIS centers with the CMN is one of the most rewarding and productive partnerships we have established,” said Vargas. “It is truly a two-way collaboration, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together and contribute to the advancement of higher education.”