Improving Relations with Native Nations
Institutional Models and Structures
Grand Challenges supports the work of addressing the harmful and complex origins of our land-grant university while developing a model of positive public impact and equity for others to follow.
The work of reimagining our university begins internally by increasing university system efficiency, addressing continuing challenges, forging meaningful and collaborative relationships with community partners and Native nations, breaking down disciplinary silos, and building pathways for collaboration and innovation that result in exceptional public good.
In 2023, UC Davis’ Reimagining the Land-Grant University Grand Challenge supported work that investigated actions that various universities (primarily land-grant universities, or LGUs) have taken to address their histories and ongoing settler colonial presence. The “Benchmarking Land-grant University Institutional Practices” report acts as a snapshot of these universities’ activities, which were largely initiated by students, staff, and faculty members without support from upper-level administration.
A Brief History on the Origin of Land-Grant Universities
(Number of State of California policy documents related to Sustainable Food Systems that cite publications from the University of California campuses (2018-2022), with UC Davis displayed in gold)
University Activities, Programs, and Efforts to Address Land Grab Histories
Land Acknowledgement Statements
Though often seen as only a first step and lacking substance, official university land acknowledgement statements do not exist at many LGUs. Within the LGUs that do have land acknowledgement statements, very few actively name the Tribes from whom land was dispossessed and sold to establish their endowments via the Morrill Act of 1862.
Tuition Waivers
Of the LGUs that responded to information requests, tuition waivers are offered by nearly half (10 of 22). However, these tuition waivers were incredibly variable for whom they applied. Many universities offer tuition waivers to Native Americans; however, they are restricted to specific Tribes whose ancestral lands the university currently occupies or they charge in-State tuition to enrolled-members of Tribes who were forcibly relocated.
Tribal Relations Liaison
Tribal Relations Liaison/Coordinator positions were rare among the universities that were contacted. The scope of the positions varied to some extent, but generally involved formal engagement with Tribes. Funding for these positions are permanent, and positions often were created by funding allocated by the Office of the President/Chancellor or came directly from the State legislature.
Recommendations for Tribal Liaison Structures
- Tribal liaison roles must be high-ranking within the university, reflecting that its functions are a high priority.
- These roles must have direct access to the President or Chancellor, facilitating more direct communication between University leadership and Tribal nations
- Tribal liaison roles should be dedicated solely to Tribal relations and liaison efforts, in order to focus on needs of Tribes and maintaining relations with Tribal points of contact.
- These roles should also have adequate exposure on the University’s website and public-facing media, ensuring that their functions, current initiatives, and contact information are accessible.
This page contains content derived from the “Benchmarking Land-Grant University Institutional Practices” report (Kase Wheatley) and the “Tribal Liaison Structures” presentation (Nora Zade).
To access the full presentation, please click on the button below.
Questions?
Please email our team at [email protected]
