Click here for the Evaluation Considerations Handout
November 18, 2005--As we approach Thanksgiving and the "tokenism" of celebrating Native Americans during this month only, please reflect on the following (working) definition of evaluation in Indian Country (tribal, urban, rural, and suburban contexts). This is an asset based definition rooted in cultural, spiritual, and federal and tribal statutory governance language that embodies Indigenous sovereignty:
Indigenous Evaluation Model Definition
"An Indigenous Self-Determination Evaluation Model respects,
recognizes, and values the inherent worth of Indian culture; is responsive to
the communities needs as voiced by all members of the Tribal community; builds
evaluation designs and processes around Indian assets and resources; and
literally and figuratively employs Indians in every part of the process
(program, policy, implementation, evaluation) to heal, strengthen, and preserve
Indigenous societies for the next 7 generations." (Nicole Bowman,
2005)
Chi Miigwetch.
All My Relatives,
Nicole Bowman