Empowering Indigenous Education Amidst Funding Uncertainties

Mon Nov 17 2025 19:23:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In New Town, North Dakota, the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College champions Indigenous knowledge through its food sovereignty program. Amid proposed funding cuts and a complicated educational landscape for Native students, college leaders stress the importance of maintaining their cultural heritage and securing necessary federal support.

Ruth De La Cruz walks through the Four Sisters Garden, connecting with her ancestral roots through the Hidatsa squash, as she mentors college students at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. Amidst fears of funding cuts to tribal colleges following the longest U.S. government shutdown, leaders advocate for the significance of tribal education to Indigenous culture. Educational funding remains uncertain, with rising opportunities overshadowed by the risk of diminishing federal support, making it vital for tribal colleges to navigate these educational and financial challenges to sustain cultural traditions.

NEW TOWN, N.D. — On a recent chilly fall morning, Ruth De La Cruz walked through the Four Sisters Garden, looking for Hidatsa squash. For students in her food sovereignty program, it might merely be an assignment, but for De La Cruz, it represents the literal fruit of her ancestors’ labor.

“There’s some of the squash, yay!” De La Cruz exclaimed, as she discovered small, pumpkin-like gourds glistening in the sun.

The garden embraces the Hidatsa tradition of cultivating squash, corn, sunflowers, and beans—known collectively as the four sisters. This initiative is part of the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, under the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration proposed cuts to funding for tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) across the country, threatening the education of tribal citizens impacted by federal budget reductions and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

While an increase in funding for TCUs was announced before the shutdown, college leaders remain apprehensive about the government's financial commitments. These federal funds support foundational legal obligations, and presidents and advocates of Native education express concerns over potential erosion, which could undermine the transmission of Indigenous knowledge to future generations.

“This is not just a haven for access to higher education, but also a place where culturally and tribally specific education is delivered,” noted De La Cruz.

The U.S. government must uphold its historic promises through treaties and acts of Congress, ensuring the well-being and education of Indigenous peoples. Twyla Baker, the college president, emphasized this obligation, stating, “We prepaid for all of this.”

Baker acknowledged the historical disruptions faced by Indigenous cultures but highlighted the necessity of protecting their knowledge systems for future generations.

Although federal support for TCUs has been announced, related funding sources from various government departments have seen reductions. In 1994, Congress recognized tribal colleges as land grant institutions; however, they lack the substantial profits from unceded lands enjoyed by other universities.

As TCU presidents travel to advocate for their programs in Washington, D.C., uncertainties about funding persist. Leander McDonald, president of the United Tribes Technical College, shared concerns over the unpredictable nature of federal finances.

Despite these challenges, TCUs remain pivotal in preserving Indigenous traditions, as students learn directly from elders about their languages and cultural practices. Students like Zaysha Grinnell find unique educational opportunities that foster their heritage.

“You can’t get that anywhere else,” Grinnell asserted, highlighting the critical role of TCUs in sustaining Indigenous knowledge in the face of historical erasure.