A photo of American Indian graduates from the UMNTC. Atop the photo is the COIN official logo, and text that reads: Welcome to the Circle of Indigenous Nations.

COIN Statement on Place

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Read Our full Statement on Place:

COIN Statement on Place*

Mni Sota Makoce, the original Dakota name for Minnesota, is the ancestral/contemporary homeland of the Dakota people. Just outside the windows of the COIN office is Wakpa Tanka (The Mississippi River), along which the Dakota have lived for many years. Wakpa Tanka is an important marker for many of us UMN-TC community members, as it creates the East and West Banks of the Twin Cities campus. Its convergence with Mnisota Wakpa (The Minnesota River) just downstream in Imnizaska Otunwe (St. Paul) is a sacred site of Dakota genesis and creation, called Bdote. 

Here at COIN, we take seriously the historical/contemporary legacy of the UMN-TC, a land-grant institution that was endowed with stolen Dakota homelands through various forms of violence against the Dakota. We also consider the historical/ongoing legacy of the greater UMN system, which was created through the theft of Ojibwe and Dakota lands, as well as through Ojibwe, Dakota, and Ho-Chunk dispossession and removal out of Mni Sota Makoce, and the attempted extermination of their relations. We believe it is important to be cognizant of our being on and occupation of Indigenous homelands (Dakota homelands specifically at the UMN-TC), as well as our collective and individual responsibilities to the land and the original peoples of the lands we are on. We ground our office’s work in these responsibilities, and support for American Indian Tribal sovereignty, and global Indigenous sovereignty.

* This living statement of place was written by Gabriela Ines Diaz (CHamoru and Pohnpeian) for the COIN office in February 2023 (last updated July 2023) and is NOT a university/institutional land acknowledgement.

Our Mission Statement

What's Happening at COIN:

Study Nights

Weekly Study Nights Flyer shows three pictures on the right side of students studying during the Study Night event. Students are working on their laptops, taking notes, or reading for class. The left side advertises the dates and times of Study Night: every Wednesdays from 4:30-7pm at the COIN office/322 Appleby Hall

Elder in Residence

Promotional Flyer for COIN Elder in Residence (2023-2024). The flyer includes Nelda Goodman and Jim Rock's headshots, and advertised office hours. Nelda Goodman wears a white long sleeve and a medicine pouch around her neck. Jim Rock wears a green button down and stands in front of his D(L)akota Star Knowledge map graphic.

Visit with Nelda Goodman and Jim Rock at COIN during their monthly Elder in Residence hours!

Writing Support Drop-In Hours

Flyer for Study Night Writing Support hours at COIN. Writing Support Hours with Gabrielle Farrell (Red Cliff Ojibwe) are held during COIN weekly study nights.

Dakota and Ojibwe Language Tutoring

Promotional flyer for Dakota and Ojibwe language tutoring hours at COIN, containing the days and times of each tutors' hours at COIN, and the official headshots of both tutors: Sasha Strong (Ojibwe), and Ava Hartwell (Dakota).

Drop-In American Indian Studies (AIS) Advising Hours

Promotional flyer for Drop-In advising hours at COIN with AIs advisor, Charissa Blue. Flyer contains Charissa's official headshot: she has long dark hair. She is wearing earrings, a black top and jacket, and is smiling. Charissa's Tribal Affiliation (Upper Sioux Community) and pronouns (she/her) are listed. Her advising hours are held every Tuesday from 1:30-2:30 pm at the COIN office (322 Appleby hall)

Community Potluck

Promotional flyer for AIFSA/COIN Community Potluck

Film Screening: The American Buffalo

promotional flyer for the American Buffalo (film screening)