This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Equity in Educational Land-grant Status Act being signed into law. In 1994, there were 29 Tribal Colleges designated as 1994 Land-grant Institutions (LGI). Today, there are 35 recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in 13 states.
Typically found in remote, underserved communities that lack access to higher education, the 1994 LGIs are focused on serving their communities.
Their students pursue degrees in diverse areas including science, technology, engineering, mathematics and agriculture. Some conduct research under the mentorship of faculty, while others intern at USDA and other federal agencies. The 1994 LGIs are opening doors for their students, helping them achieve degrees that lead to professional careers or graduate studies.
The 1994s also provide high school completion, basic remediation, job training, college preparatory courses and adult basic education programs. They serve as community libraries and centers, Tribal archives, career and business centers, economic development centers, public meeting places, and elder and childcare centers.
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports the Tribal Land-grants primarily through six programs.
- New Beginning for Tribal Students Program
- Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program
- Tribal Colleges Extension Program
- Tribal Colleges Research Grant Program
- Tribal Colleges Endowment Fund
- Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program
The 1994 LGIs provide much-needed higher education, research and Extension services to Tribal communities in natural resources, agriculture, health and wellness and community development. They provide these services with culturally infused curricula and practices, blending the richness of indigenous knowledge with Western science.
NIFA-supported 1994 LGU Projects
- In Michigan, Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) and collaborating in-state Land-grant Institutions have developed the Michigan Inter-Tribal Land-grant Extension System (MILES). Initially led by BMCC and Michigan State University, MILES now includes all four Land-grant Institutions in the state, with the additional participation of Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College. The four LGIs function as one unified Land-grant Extension system to better meet the needs of the 12 Tribal Nations in Michigan and their citizens and organizations.
- The Coastal Salish People lived on the shores of the Salish Sea and have drawn sustenance from its waters through fishing and harvesting for generations. Northwest Indian College and the Salish Sea Research Center are leading research projects to support access to marine resources, enhance data and food sovereignty for tribal partners, and increase the presence of native scientists in environmental stewardship.
- “Wiconi Wicozani” at Sisseton Wahpeton College is a food and gathering project benefiting the community by creating opportunities to learn innovative agriculture, horticulture and aquaponics best practices. An interactive 3-mile wellness trail weaves through the project area. On the trail, students, faculty and guests can discover agriculture and horticulture plots with displays describing multiple science-based growing techniques, compost production and healthy soil development.
- Navajo Technical University’s Safeguarding Natural Heritage Youth Program is a summer agriculture outreach enrichment program. Junior high and high school students are accepted through a competitive, merit-based process from all backgrounds. Students learn about and are encouraged to pursue agriculture-related fields including veterinary medicine, animal science, environmental science, natural resources, plant science, soil health and wildlife biology. Hands-on labs and workshops help students gain skills and experience.