Our involvement with impact, research, and strategy engages dialogue and action in a way that melds local knowledge, community action, and lessons learned to achieve community or organization defined goals. We view impact, research, and strategy as fluid processes based on shared values of respect, dignity, self-determination, and equity. Though based on a solid foundation, our work continues to evolve as new opportunities emerge, skills are enhanced, goals are achieved, and individuals, organizations, and communities change.

Knowing that everything is connected, we take a systems (holistic) approach to our work. Individuals, families, households, beliefs, ways of knowing, economies, environments, and governments influence our work and the work of our clients. Understanding how these elements interact and contribute to challenges and opportunities is necessary to promote positive change, preserve healthy traditions, and reach client goals.

The work described above allows Sweet Grass, as an outsider, to collaborate with locals in a meaningful way; by acknowledging and utilizing techniques to address underlying power dynamics that plague development efforts and welcome anyone interested to work together as participants in the process. In this way, each person has their own unique skill sets, ways of knowing, and roles of involvement.