13: Centering Humanity in Evaluation Practice: Listening and Seeing Beyond Metrics

Objective: To engage participants in a collaborative discussion on human-centered evaluation practices that honor Aaniiih and Nakoda values. The goal is to generate shared insights on how evaluators can better capture and respect the lived experiences, traditions, and relationships that define the community’s engagement. 1. Project Background (5 minutes): Sweet Grass’ work with ANC and the Buffalo Center. 2. Opening Circle (5 minutes): Participants will introduce themselves and share their perspectives on what "centering humanity" means in their work. 3. Small Group Discussions (20 minutes): Breakout groups will explore themes such as: o Ethical storytelling in evaluation o Role of indigenous knowledge in data interpretation o Challenges in maintaining cultural integrity within Western evaluation frameworks 4. Knowledge Sharing (15 minutes): Each group will report back key insights for cross-group learning. 5. Community Reflection (15 minutes): Open floor for participants to share personal takeaways to applying human-centered approaches in their evaluations.

Jordan Greene Greene – Associate Director of Strategy, Sweet Grass Consulting