Tribally led research projects are a cornerstone to academic success for many Native students. The opportunity to conduct research that is tribally relevant and based in Indigenous methodologies creates a sense of identity for young researchers and enables them to build confidence in a predominantly non- Native atmosphere. Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) provide research opportunities through grants and partnerships with funding agencies that in recent years have shifted their focus to be more inclusive of underrepresented groups.

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) has been conducting community-relevant research for more than a quarter century. Our research has contributed to significant improvements for the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. For example, the data from one project, which utilized geographic information systems (GIS) to record the location of homes across the reservation and documented households’ potable water sources, was used to secure federal funding for a reservation-wide rural water system.

NHSC’s research has been conducted within a diversity of disciplines, including the social sciences, biology, environmental sciences, and agriculture, to name a few. While some of the research has been faculty- led, other projects have been student-led, conducted as part of the curriculum or as paid internships. One student research project investigated air quality on high-traffic roads during peak construction season. The results were both informative and shocking, as many community members had not even considered the high levels of particulate matter contaminating the air. Additionally, most of this construction was due to the increased oil field traffic and the need to widen rural county roads not designed for those load demands.

Some research has been longitudinal, like our juneberry study, which was initiated based on needs identified by elders who had participated in talking circles in the late 1990s. The juneberry study focused on habitat loss from the construction of the Garrison Dam, illuminating the habitat traits necessary to reestablish juneberries on Fort Berthold. The study led to the planting of multiple plots of juneberries across the reservation. Community members continue to enjoy harvesting berries from those plots. This project has resulted in more research questions and student projects, such as studying pollinator behavior.

One current research project focuses on regenerative soil health. In the Northern Plains’ fast growing season, we began by planting a diverse mix of cover crops on 12 plots. At the end of the growing season, we introduced sheep to the gardens. This research is a partnership with the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems at California State University, Chico, one of the only universities in the country that specializes in regenerative agriculture.

Meanwhile, NHSC’s equine-assisted services program recently concluded an initiative called “Taking the Reins.” This project partnered with University of Mary occupational therapy graduate students to provide research and programming for adolescent youth who have experienced trauma and who struggle with emotional regulation, coping, and problem-solving skills. The results and presentation for the institutional review for human subjects research was presented at the School of Health Sciences at the University of Mary this past spring.

A US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded project in collaboration with the University of Montana is the TCU-led Missouri River Consortium, which is dedicated to identifying and addressing tribal water resource issues and information needs in the Missouri River basin. The project will prototype community-based research on the importance of the Missouri River to tribal communities, provide research and mentoring opportunities for students, and build the framework to expand relationships between Native nations and environmental information providers.

In addition to agriculture and environmental projects, a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded project will assist in the strengthening of our special collections and archival infrastructure, as well as collect and preserve tribal oral histories, stories, and traditional knowledges. The project is a partnership with the University of North Dakota. We have also welcomed two tribal entities—the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Culture and Language Division and the MHA Interpretive Center—to participate in digital humanities and archival trainings the project has provided.

NHSC, its students, and community have been fortunate to have the opportunity to develop and conduct culturally informed and community-relevant research with multiple tribal, local, regional, and national partners. This research has been supported by numerous funding sources. We continue to expand our research program, growing research infrastructure and capacity. We appreciate the work of those who have gone before us to break trail in tribally led and informed research, as well as the agencies and others who have enabled our work through their funding and collaborations.