MNEA Community of Practice: Place-Sourced Regenerative Evaluation

Dr. Katie Boone will share the results of her dissertation titled "Putting Evaluation in its Place *In a Good Way."  Her community-engaged research engaged 57 participants who were Elders, Riders, and settler-descendants that engaged with the 16-day ceremonial horse ride in the communities the ride rode through, as she followed along with the with the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride in December of 2024. 

Her research findings led to the evolution of a conceptual framework called the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Framework. This is a Place-sourced (not place-based) Dakota framework that is deeply connected to the ancestral homelands of the Dakota people.    

Mahkato (Mankato), Mni Sota (Minnesota) is the site of the largest mass execution that has taken place on US soil. On December 26, 1862;  38 Dakota warriors were hanged by order of President Lincoln during the US Dakota Conflict / War. This is a Place where efforts towards reconciliation have been evolving in partnership for over 67 years. Participants who are interested in attending this session are encouraged to watch the Dakota 38 + 2 documentary to help get them grounded in the significance of the Place where this research and efforts has unfolded.

Her research  started to develop an early iteration of a new theory for Regenerative Evaluation, a living systems approach to evaluation that works with Place as a participant.  

• How do evaluators work with Place?

• What is the difference between Place-sourced and place-based approaches to evaluation?

• What do these learnings have to offer for non-Indigenous evaluators who work in partnership and relationship with Indigenous communities? 

Participants will leave with more questions than answers, new insights for who they are in relationship to who and where their work touches, and a additional resources for ongoing learning and resourcing. 

Katie Boone, Qualitative Researcher and Community Engagement Coordinator, Economic Assistance and Employment Supports, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Katie has over 20 years of experience working in and with communities. She is an integrated practitioner whose work is grounded in experiences from theArt of Hosting Conversations that Matter, as a certified Narrative Coach / Integrated Developmental Practitioner, and a deepRegenerative Practitioner. Her roots are in community building and designing collaborative and transformative systems change. 

Cost of the event: Free for members, $5 for non-members

If you need any accommodations to participate, please let us know at least one week prior to the event by emailing info@mnea.org. Thank you.

The MNEA CoP meeting structure is designed to be flexible in order to meet attendee needs and busy schedules. Attend sessions if you want to connect regularly or just want to pop in here and there. All are welcome!