Native American Community Development Institute Case Study
Through a partnership with Pollen Midwest, we created a case study to learn how the Native American Community Development Institute developed a vibrant, resilient community that celebrates Native identity.
Excerpt from the Case Study
The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) grew out of research that showed outcomes for American Indians in Hennepin County had not improved substantially in the past 40 years. NACDI spent three years asking Native people what they wanted for their future, as opposed to what they needed to meet their basic needs. The gatherings resulted in a rich and bold vision for a vibrant, resilient community that celebrates Native identity.
RECOGNIZING TALENT IN COMMUNITIES
To transform Franklin Avenue from an overlooked street into a bustling hub known as the American Indian Cultural Corridor, NACDI led with an assets-based approach that emphasized individual contact to win over skepticism and develop a vision for the area founded in Native input.
PROSPERITY BUILT THROUGH LISTENING
The success of NACDI’s work hinges on keeping the American Indian community involved. NACDI celebrates Indigenous identity and culture, and continually creates opportunities for residents to give feedback on what’s working and what needs improvement.
