COMMUNITY CONNECT FORUM TO BE HELD IN FORT TOTTEN

Finding Common Cultural Ground: Heritage, Education, Tourism
April 24, 2010

North Dakotans are invited to a unique opportunity to learn from tribal, rural and University of North Dakota peers on Saturday, April 24 at a community-university forum. Finding Common Cultural Ground: Heritage, Education, Tourism is the theme for the Third Annual Community Connect Forum, to be hosted by Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, ND. The event is free and open to the public.

The forum is part of the Community Connect Project, coordinated by the UND Center for Community Engagement. Dozens of communities and organizations across the state, as well as UND faculty and students, have been involved over the past few years in conversations to connect regional communities. The first two forums, Generating Ideas through Partnerships (Grand Forks, 2008) and Focus on Community Entrepreneurship (Rugby, 2009), gathered several hundred participants to discuss topics of mutual interest. The schedule for this year’s forum is below.

8:30-9:15 Coffee, registration, exhibits
9:15-10:00 Traditional Opening Ceremony
10:00-10:45 Keynote Address and Training Session: Community Conflict
11-12 noon Break Out Sessions
Cultural Heritage & Education, Exhibits & Roundtables, Campus Tours
12:15-1 p.m. Lunch (provided), Community Connect Meeting
1:00-2 p.m. Keynote Panel and Discussion: Cultural Tourism
2:15-3:15 Break Out Sessions (repeat)
3:30-5 p.m. Reception and Cultural Event by the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation

Those interested in sharing community projects on cultural heritage, education or tourism, are encouraged to register an exhibit or propose a roundtable discussion. Exhibiters can showcase projects on display boards, and discussion facilitators are asked to prepare talking points to direct the conversation. Registration requests for exhibits and roundtable discussions are due March 15. Registration for attendees is due April 9.

All are welcome! Registration form for attendees and participants is attached to this e-mail.
For more information visit www.communityengagement.und.edu , call (701) 777-0675