We call on the Board of Regents and University of Minnesota leadership to take concrete, meaningful, and measurable steps toward healing through a comprehensive, Seven Generations approach that combines reparations, truth-telling, policy change, and transformative justice processes. This includes centering the perspectives and voices of Indigenous peoples, recognizing and respecting Indigenous sovereignty, providing resources and support for language and cultural revitalization, and ensuring access to healthcare and education.

We have identified the following sites upon the University landscape that could be renewed through the use of culturally prescribed policy burns:

Land Back

The Board of Regents must commit to annual review and rematriation of Indigenous lands.

Reparations in Perpetuity

The Morrill Act stipulates that the Permanent University Fund must be held in perpetuity, as the beneficiary of perpetual wealth made from Indigenous genocide, UMN must commit to perpetual reparations to Indigenous peoples.

Diverting PUF Streams

Engage in economic justice, including committing part of the annual investment returns of the Permanent University Fund in a way that gives back to Native Americans, in perpetuity.

Representation

The Board of Regents must adopt measurable policies that remedy the lack of Indigenous representation in administration, tenure-track faculty, staff and students on all UMN campuses.

Commitment to Education as Individual and Tribal Self-Determination

Full cost of attendance waiver for all Indigenous peoples and descendants regardless of state of residence.

Enact Policies that Respect Tribal Sovereignty and Cultural Heritage

Board of Regents must enact new Indigenous Research policies that respect the sovereignty and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples. The Board must also call for Indigenous curriculum requirements for all degree programs so future graduates are prepared with this knowledge. UMN must also conduct a systemwide inventory of human remains and items related to Native American Cultural Heritage.

Sites for Future Research

Institutional commitments to fully funding research that continues to explore TRUTH and ways that UMN can be in better relation with Indigenous peoples.

Meet Trust Obligations

As a federal land grant institution, UMN has trust responsibilities to Indigenous peoples codified by law and upheld by the Supreme Court.

See the full report for detailed recommendations.