As part of the Rural Innovators Initiative, the Biden-Harris Administration recently celebrated 14 innovators from across America that are making a positive impact in their communities. Among those receiving an award was Jennifer Gauthier, director of the Sustainable Development Institute at College of Menominee Nation.
“(This is the) deserved recognition of Jennifer’s community-based work that demonstrates the type of individuals we are fortunate to have on staff at the College of Menominee Nation,” CMN President Christopher Caldwell said. “Her leadership and experiences help ground our work at the college and the Sustainable Development Institute.”
Gauthier is an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation and has connections to Ho-Chunk, Oneida, and Stockbridge-Munsee communities. Gauthier earned a master of public administration from UW-Oshkosh and a bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Madison.
She has worked with the Menominee community in tribal government and most recently as a community development educator. These experiences have created many professional development opportunities, meeting and learning from Indigenous peoples at home and throughout the world.
At the core of Gauthier’s work is the integration of Menominee language and culture into all aspects of programming. Through this foundation, she has been instrumental in building food systems, transportation solutions and the advancement of traditional arts and language within the Menominee community.
Her work is inclusive of community voice and provides safe spaces for learning and sharing. Collectively, this work is a way of building healthy communities. Gauthier is active in the community. She regularly gives of her time to teach traditional arts and Menominee language, and shares knowledge through various community presentations.
She also serves as the chairperson of the Menominee Language and Culture Commission and is an inaugural board member of the Kaehkēnawapahtǣq Charter school.
She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work over the year.
The role of the Sustainable Development Institute is bound to principles of sustainability and Menominee values.
Prompted by Menominee’s long tradition of sustainable forestry practices, tribal leaders created the Sustainable Development Institute to encourage, promote and build upon the Menominee approach to sustainable development. SDI supports and advances sustainable ways through a variety of initiatives.
In February 2023, Gauthier received a nomination for the UW-Madison Outstanding Women of Color award, and in September 2023, Gauthier assumed the role of SDI director.
To learn more about the Sustainable Development institute, visit menominee.edu/sustainable-development-institute.
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