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

> **NIH NIH R25** · CITY OF MISSOULA · 2021 · $111,813

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10468442
- **Project number:** 3R25GM132950-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** CITY OF MISSOULA
- **Principal Investigator:** Holly Truitt
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $111,813
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10468442

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10468442, The Link: A Collective, Place-Based Approach to Inspiring Missoula's Next-Generation Healthcare Work Force (3R25GM132950-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10468442. Licensed CC0.

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