In brief
In New Town, North Dakota, Ruth De La Cruz highlights the significance of Hidatsa squash in the Four Sisters Garden, representing ancestral heritage in the face of potential funding cuts to tribal colleges. Despite a recent funding increase announced by the U.S. Department of Education, leaders express concerns over ongoing uncertainties that threaten Indigenous education. The trust responsibilities of the government towards tribally specific education are discussed, showcasing the vital role these institutions play in preserving Native American cultures.
NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) — On a recent chilly fall morning, Ruth De La Cruz walked through the Four Sisters Garden, looking for Hidatsa squash. To college students in her food sovereignty program, the crop might be an assignment. But to her, it is the literal fruit of her ancestors’ labor.“There's some of the squash, yay,” De La Cruz exclaimed as she finds the small, pumpkinlike gourds catching the morning sun.The garden is named for the Hidatsa practice of growing squash, corn, sunflower, and beans — the four sisters — together, De La Cruz said. The program is part of the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, operated by the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation.The college is one of more than three dozen tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) across the country facing potential funding cuts due to recent proposals from the Trump administration. Tribal citizens are among communities navigating the impacts of these cuts in federal spending and the effects of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.A funding increase for TCUs announced before the shutdown was welcomed news, yet college leaders remain uneasy about these financial commitments. Federal dollars, part of the country’s oldest legal obligations, are critical for the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and education.“This is not just a haven for access to higher education, but also a place where you get that level of culturally, tribally specific education,” De La Cruz stated.When the U.S. took land from tribal nations, it promised to uphold the health, education, and security of Indigenous peoples. The education pillar of these trust responsibilities involves funding for Native history and language classes.Although recent announcements of increased funding have been made, leaders emphasize that many aspects of federal support for TCUs remain precarious. Challenges emerge as liaisons within federal departments who ensure compliance with trust responsibilities are laid off or furloughed.Presidents of TCUs spend considerable time advocating for the financial support essential for their institutions, highlighting the $3.8 billion they contribute to the national economy in added income. They also stress the importance of preserving Indigenous traditions through education.For many students and faculty at TCUs, these institutions offer unique opportunities to learn and preserve their cultures. Classes on Native American Studies emphasize the transmission of cultural knowledge from elders to younger generations, helping to sustain traditions that have faced systemic threats.“Learning directly from elders who pass down that knowledge is a key part of our program,” De La Cruz noted, pointing out that such experiences are irreplaceable and crucial for the identity and community cohesion of Indigenous peoples.
