Karen Diver knows there's a certain amount of backstory non-Native people need to understand where tribal communities are now and how they got there. And that a lot of that backstory is grim.
But it's not the whole story. And she's excited about using traditional knowledge and formerly thriving Native communities to bring solutions to modern-day problems like climate change.
Diver says higher education is a huge part of wellness, and in her new role as the University of Minnesota's first Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs, she's already compiled a lengthy list of areas and ways the University can partner with tribal communities for the benefit of all.