Overview:
The American Indian College Fund has received a $1.3 million grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to expand its Ma’koce O’gluspa (Embracing the Land) Program, strengthening environmental science, natural resource education, and land-based learning at 10 Tribal Colleges and Universities across the Northern Great Plains over the next three years.
The American Indian College Fund has received a $1.3 million grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to expand its Ma’koce O’gluspa (Embracing the Land) Program, a three-year initiative that strengthens environmental science, natural resource education, and land-based research at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
The funding builds on previous support for the program and is designed to increase the long-term capacity of environmental stewardship programs at participating TCUs across the Northern Great Plains. During the new funding cycle, colleges will focus on developing and enhancing curriculum while planning larger capacity-building projects that support sustainable growth.
The Ma’koce O’gluspa Program emphasizes place-based learning rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and the deep relationship between Native communities and their homelands. Funding will provide resources for students and faculty in environmental science and natural resource programs, supporting professional development, research opportunities, and networking that integrates cultural traditions with environmental stewardship.
In addition to strengthening academic programs, participating institutions will join a community of practice that brings together environmental science and natural resource educators. The collaborative network is intended to foster the exchange of promising practices, encourage collective problem-solving, and share knowledge that benefits Tribal communities and future generations.
Ten Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible to receive funding through the initiative:
- Aaniiih Nakoda College (Harlem, Montana)
- Chief Dull Knife College (Lame Deer, Montana)
- Fort Peck Community College (Poplar, Montana)
- Little Big Horn College (Crow Agency, Montana)
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (New Town, North Dakota)
- Oglala Lakota College (Kyle, South Dakota)
- Sinte Gleska University (Mission, South Dakota)
- Sitting Bull College (Fort Yates, North Dakota)
- Stone Child College (Box Elder, Montana)
- United Tribes Technical College (Bismarck, North Dakota)
The grant reflects continued investment in Indigenous-led environmental education that combines traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary science, helping Tribal colleges prepare the next generation of Native environmental leaders while strengthening stewardship of Tribal lands and natural resources.
