This document outlines topics and questions for a panel discussion on conducting community-based work in Native American/American Indian communities. The panel will discuss their experiences working with tribal communities, the unique aspects of this work, best practices for ensuring cultural awareness and respect, challenges they have faced and how to overcome them, the importance of self-awareness, their greatest successes, partnership approaches, and advice for others interested in this work. The goal is to share lessons learned on appropriate and effective ways to engage with tribal organizations and groups.

1. Building Communities in Context:
The Opportunities and Challenges of
Conducting Community-based Work
in Indian Country
Brent D. Hales & Dawn Newman
University of Minnesota Extension
Emily Proctor
Michigan State University Extension

2. Introductions
 Who you are?
 Why you are here?
 What work you are doing or have done in
tribal communities?
 What are your expectations for this
session?

3. The Work
 What makes working with tribal
organizations or communities different
that working with other groups or
communities?

4. Culture
 In working with tribal communities, what
recommendations do you have to ensure
that you are being culturally aware and
respectful?

5. Why?
 Why do you do this work?

6. Challenges
 What have been the greatest challenges
associated with working in tribal
communities that you have experienced?
 How do you overcome those challenges?
 If someone were interested in becoming
involved in working in tribal communities,
what challenges might they expect?

7. Knowing Yourself
 Why is it important to have an
understanding of who you are to be
effective in working tribal communities
and with other minority groups?
 How does knowing who you are influence
your work?

8. Success(es)
 What have been your greatest successes
in working in tribal communities?

9. Partnership(s)
 Who have been your partners in this
work?
 How do you know who to work with?

10. Beginning
 How would you propose them beginning
the work?
 What advice can you give to others
interested in working in tribal
organizations or with tribal groups?

11. Questions
 What questions do you have for the
panelists?