Restoration and Preservation
of Traditional Native Art Forms
and Knowledge

2013 – 2020

About The Program

The American Indian College Fund has created a re-granting opportunity for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to enhance the capacity of traditional Native art forms and knowledge at participating TCUs in the upper-Midwest. The goal of this funding is to provide resources for colleges to develop and implement more formalized traditional Native arts academic and community outreach programming. As a result, cultural knowledge and skills of traditional Native art forms indigenous to the tribe or tribal region will be shared with students and tribal communities. In addition, TCUs will be able to increase the direct support of culture bearers and established artists who are knowledgeable and skilled in traditional Native arts forms. Furthermore, master artists can participate with TCU faculty professional development, curriculum development, academic programming, and in the planning of community outreach programs.

Program Gallery

Grantees

https://www.littlehoop.edu/

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

http://www.menominee.edu/

College of Menominee Nation

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

https://www.lltc.edu/

Leech Lake Tribal College

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

United Tribes Technical College

Oglala Lakota College

Sinte Gleska University

Sisseton Wahpeton College

Sitting Bull College

https://www.tm.edu/

Turtle Mountain Community College

White Earth Tribal and Community College

White Earth Tribal and Community College

Related Blogs

SIPI Drawing Workshop Taps into Native Philosophies of Awareness in Art, Native Identity, Sacredness, and Value

SIPI Drawing Workshop Taps into Native Philosophies of Awareness in Art, Native Identity, Sacredness, and Value

The warm smell of burning firewood wafted around us as we stepped out of the car. The cool still morning and chirping birds greeted us as we entered the building of the Ancestral Rich Treasures of Zuni (ARTZ) which houses silver and turquoise jewelry and is adorned with colorful paintings all created by Zuni artists.

A Time for Change and Innovation – Native Arts and Distance Learning  

A Time for Change and Innovation – Native Arts and Distance Learning  

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) transitioned from holding in-person classes and community events to closing their campuses, instead offering academic courses online or through distance learning. Community programming and events were canceled or postponed, greatly impacting TCUs, students, and the communities they serve.  

To help TCUs during the transition, seven TCUs were awarded Distance Learning Grants. Each had a different approach on how they would continue to provide Native Arts programming while keeping their students and community members safe. Each explored how they were going to bring people together while keeping them safely apart.  

Our Program Areas

Select a program area to learn more.

Computer Science

Environmental Stewardship

Indigenous Education

Infrastructure

Native Arts

The Iñupiat family engagement event was held at the Aimaaġvik Assisted Living Center to celebrate the season with the elder residents.

Supporting Our Relatives