The Link: A Collective, Place-Based Approach to Inspiring Missoula's Next-Generation Healthcare Work Force

Mipnunum k ikitki·kȼiǂ：数字健康科学教育和职业道路的使用

Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ: Digital Health Science Education and Career Pathways using Indigenous Knowledge Project Summary/Abstract Mipnunum and k̓ itki·kȼiǂ are the Salish and Kootenai words (respectively) that translate to “figure out something; find out about something; succeed in understanding.” These words capture the spirit and approach of this indigenous, collective-impact project that aims to create and bring health science and careers-pathway programming in and into the digital space. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of the delta variant, we seek supplemental funding to expand the reach of our LINK project and its Community Lab programming. The goal of Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ, a dynamic digital gathering space, is to deepen native youth's access to culturally rich health science and careers programming. In many ways, Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ, like the LINK, will be a “third place” devoted to furthering health science education and career pathways that are steeped in community, connection, mentorship and empowerment. This project has full support from the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal Council, Missoula’s Mayor John Engen, and University of Montana President Seth Bodnar. A cross-sector, co-creation committee will drive all aspects of the project from program design to evaluation shaping. Members will include tribal community leaders, immersive and digital learning experts, tribal and non-tribal educators, scientists, practitioners, elders, native youth, and experts in user experience and designing for inclusivity. Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ will create: 1. A vibrant community designed and culturally relevant digital third place. 2. A digital co-creation gathering space for community co-design of all aspects and builds on the team’s award-winning and published co-creation process. 3. A digital indigenous high school health science research program that is: Native role model-driven, includes indigenous science and practices of digital and immersive learning. From these efforts we will share: Key learnings on tribal co-design process; new approaches to native health science and career pathways; and a dynamic digital gathering place that will offer insights to tribal communities and the field nationwide. Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ will draw from our existing tribal health science ecosystem that is alive with career and educational pathways. It will be co-led by PI Holly Truitt (City of Missoula), co-I Bill Swaney (enrolled tribal member of the CSKT), and co-I Dr. Rachel Severson (University of Montana), and in partnership with Michelle Mitchell (Tribal Education). Inverness Research will evaluate the Mipnunum k̓ itki·kȼiǂ high school research programming as well as assess collective, community and participant impact.