working with tribal partners
Are you a researcher interested in partnering with a Tribal college or university (TCU) or a Tribal nation? Here is what you need to know before you start.
Approaching potential partners
Each Tribal nation and TCU is unique. Each Tribal nation is sovereign and has its own laws and procedures. Educate yourself on Indigenous communities in our region—their past as well as their present. Do you research to learn about your potential partner prior to contacting them, and treat them like a true partner.
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Build authentic relationships before you ask for something. Trust takes time to build! Be respectful, accountable, inclusive, and transparent. Make contact early and often when considering partnering with a Tribal nation or TCU.
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If you are submitting a proposal to the NSF that includes a Tribal partner, you must follow NSF guidelines for seeking Tribal approval. NSF requires proposing organizations to seek Tribal approval for any research projects that may impact Tribal resources or interests.​
​During and after the award
Make sure Tribal nations and TCUs lead the way on anything that affects them. Discuss each partner’s capacity and roles. Collaborators often tap on the same people in institutions with limited capacity.
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Have a plan for data management, both during the award and after the project’s completion. Co-develop a data sovereignty plan with your Tribal partner, and share data back in a meaningful way.
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Remember that grants come and go, which may end important services or resources that TCUs rely on. Talk about sustainability with your partner.
To learn more about working with Tribal partners, contact ND EPSCoR Director of Tribal Partnerships Sheridan McNeil, Oyate Ohowicada Win (Respects the People Woman)-Damakota at
sheridan.mcneil@ndsu.edu.
About Tribes
Of the 575 federally recognized tribes in the US, five share land with the state of North Dakota:
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Each Tribal nation has a distinct cultural heritage, history, and language or languages.
Tribes are subject to federal jurisdiction, but due to treaties made between Tribes and the federal government, they also have additional rights and powers that states do not have.
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This is important for researchers to be aware of because they may need additional approvals from Tribal governments to conduct research on Tribal lands.
About TCUs
Cankdeska Cikana Community College is located in Fort Totten on the Spirit Lake Reservation. It was founded in 1970. Its enrolls about 250 students per semester.
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is located in New Town at MHA Nation. It was founded in 1973. It enrolls about 250 students a semester.​
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Sitting Bull College is located in Fort Yates at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. It was also founded in 1973, and its average enrollment is about 310 students per semester.
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Turtle Mountain College is located in Belcourt at the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians reservation. It began in 1972 and enrolls more than 800 students a semester.
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United Tribes Technical College is located in Bismarck. It is operated jointly ​the five Tribes whose boundaries include land in North Dakota. It began in 1969 and has an enrollment of about 500 students.
