Events
Oral PhD Defense: Katie L. Boone
Putting Evaluation in its Place—In a Good Way
Advisors: Bhaskar Upadhyay and Meixi
Evaluation is not neutral when engaging with Place. This dissertation advances the field by calling for a shift from place-based to Place-sourced evaluation practices conducted in partnership with Indigenous communities who are Aboriginal to Place. For this community-engaged research, I conducted semi-structured, narrative inquiry interviews with Riders and facilitated Circle dialogues with community participants along the Mahkato Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride in December 2024, traveling from Flandreau, South Dakota to Mahkato (Mankato), Mni Sota (Minnesota). Mahkato is a site of profound historical significance, most known as the location of the largest mass execution in U.S. history, when 38 Dakota warriors were hanged in 1862 by order of President Lincoln. Findings of this research informed the development of the Mahkato Reconciliation and Healing Place-sourced Dakota framework for sensemaking and evaluation, grounded in reconciliation context within the Dakota ancestral homelands. The study also generated an emergent theory of Regenerative Evaluation, positioning Place as an active participant. Together, these contributions evolve evaluation practices that honor Indigenous knowledge, strengthen community partnerships, and engage Place in the work of reconciliation, sensemaking and evaluation.
Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the CEHD community.
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The University of Minnesota campuses were built on the traditional homelands of the Dakota and Ojibwe, and scores of other Indigenous peoples who have walked on these lands from time immemorial. It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.