USDA Announces Investments in Tribal Land-Grant Colleges

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Tuesday announced that 21 projects in eight states have been funded through the Tribal College Initiative Grant program to make campus improvements, provide outreach and educational offerings. Janie Hipp, Senior Advisor to the Secretary made the announcement on the Secretary's behalf while attending the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference.

College of Menominee Nation Students

"Investing in tribal educational facilities is crucial to increasing economic opportunity in tribal communities,"

Hipp said.

"These institutions will use the funds to improve educational offerings and that will pay dividends for generations to come."

The USDA Rural Development Tribal College Grant program provides land-grant institutions with funds for outreach and education services to help meet the needs of Native American communities. The $3.3 million in grants announced today will help tribal colleges finance infrastructure improvements, purchase equipment and develop essential community facilities.

For example, in Brimley, Michigan, Bay Mills Community College has been selected to receive a grant to help construct an Early Childhood Education Learning lab building. In Mission, South Dakota, Sinte Gleska University has been selected to receive a grant to renovate the North Campus college science center, classroom and a computer lab. Nebraska's Little Priest Tribal College will receive funds to help construct an educational facility with classrooms for science, math, writing, speech and other courses.

The following colleges were selected for funding. Funds are contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

College of Menominee Nation Students

Michigan

Bay Mills Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for the construction of a new Early Childhood Education Learning lab building on the campus.

Minnesota

White Earth Tribal and Community College $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to purchase computers, library furnishings, transportation and lab equipment.
Leech Lake Tribal College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to purchase maintenance equipment.

Montana

Salish-Kootenai College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for transportation improvements.
Aaniih Nakoda College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to construct an addition to the Technology Center.
Fort Peck Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to install geothermal wells and fund the renovation of the entrance to the Greet the Dawn Building on campus.
Little Big Horn College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for transportation improvements near the Health and Wellness Center.
Blackfeet Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for the construction of the South Wind Lodge addition.
Stone Child College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to purchase classroom equipment, make street improvements, replace a vehicle and purchase campus maintenance equipment.

Nebraska

Nebraska Indian Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to help construct a multi-purpose educational facility on the campus in Santee.
Little Priest Tribal College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to help construct an educational facility with classrooms for science, math, writing, speech and other courses.

North Dakota

Cankdeska Cikana Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for the construction of a maintenance building.
Turtle Mountain Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for transportation improvements.
United Tribes Technical College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for street improvements.
Fort Berthold Community College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to purchase campus signs, computer and classroom equipment, enhance parking and building lighting.
Sitting Bull College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to fund program/office complex equipment.

South Dakota

Sisseton Wahpeton College; $158,626 grant; Funds will be used to provide furnishings and equipment for the library.
Sinte Gleska University; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used to renovate the Science Center, a classroom, and a computer lab on the North Campus.
Oglala Lakota College; $158,656 grant; Funds will be used for upgrades to make buildings compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Washington