This is My Land

Success Story

 Speakers:
Laura Laumatia and Valdasue Steele
208-686-1716
laural@uidaho.edu
University of Idaho
Many communities that are on, or adjacent to, Indian Reservations experience social and political tension related to land and natural resource issues. Two University of Idaho (UI) Extension Educators in northern Idaho received a grant from the Indian Land Tenure Foundation to develop a short course. The result was an educational program called "This Is My Land", about Reservation land tenure issues. Topics include Tribal sovereignty, federal policies related to Indian lands, and a historical survey of land tenure issues including local issues. Guest speakers included University of Idaho faculty from the Native American Studies Program and UI College of Law, as well as Tribal leaders, members and employees. Benewah County, Idaho, is the home of the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation and there is significant tension between on- and- off reservation communities. It is important for anyone who is a landowner or user within or near a reservation to be informed about how Tribal, State, and Federal policies may have an impact. UI Extension faculty recognized their unique position to address this hot button issue and have taken the lead in educating local citizens. One of the anticipated outcomes of this program is that it will facilitate the constructive dialog necessary to diffuse the "them and us" tension that has been fueled by misinformation from local media and special interest groups. The Indian Land Tenure Foundation curriculum was used and adapted into a ten-week course for adults. Workshop participants will receive K-12 curriculum CD's and impacts will be shared.

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For more information about the conference, contact the conference co-chairs: Cindy Bigger, cbigger@umn.edu, (888) 241-0843, or Rick Maurer, richard.maurer@uky.edu, (859) 257-7582.

For questions, comments or concerns about the 2006 NACDEP Conference website, contact emilye@srdc.msstate.edu.