(Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of articles that will explore the tribal colleges’ and universities’ efforts to build global partnerships.)

Namibians may consider a more holistic approach to grassland, as some American Indian tribes are exploring in the Northern Plains. Photo by John Phillips

As my plane descended into Windhoek, Namibia, in southwestern Africa, I thought I was coming down on to the Northern Great Plains where I live. The Namibian landscape consisted of rolling grasslands with rocky escarpments in the distance. In the vast open space, the savanna extended beyond the horizon, exactly like the prairie does back home in western South Dakota. All was grassland and open sky. All looked familiar.

I went to Namibia May 21-June 3, 2000, to speak at a conference on agriculture and economic development at the request of Yvonne Andualem of the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.AID). She asked me to present a case study of the alternative type of agricultural-related economic development being developed on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, where I was born and raised. I have worked for many years on grasslands issues and ecosystem restoration there, developing a natural resources department at Cheyenne River Indian College (now Si Tanka College) and has helped set the stage for reintroduction of native species and the establishment of more tribal lands to be used as public resources, i.e., parks.

The atmosphere at the conference was very cordial, and I felt at peace as I began to get acquainted with the various delegates. I realized that we share some very common problems, such as overcoming centuries of colonizing rule. All of the nations represented at the conference had been colonized. When the colonial rulers either left or were thrown out, they had not built an adequate infrastructure of professional Native people to fill the void. As we’re all learning, it takes time to develop an administrative infrastructure to effectively and efficiently manage national resources, and each of us had unique perspectives on what needs to occur.

The list of delegates attending the conference and their professional qualifications were very impressive, and I was slightly intimidated at the prospect of presenting to them. Many of the delegates either hold high government positions or are professors in their countries. They were alumni of two U.S. AID programs (Advanced Training for Leadership and Skills – ATLAS, and African Graduate – AFGRAD). The two programs select outstanding African students to study agricultural sciences at various U.S. land grant colleges and universities, who then return to their home countries to work in agricultural development.

In an effort to strengthen and promote economic development through agriculture, USAID sponsors these ongoing conferences for the alumni of the two programs to share their experiences and develop strategies for strengthening the agriculture sector. The primary focus of this particular gathering was agriculture and economic development, women in agriculture, workforce development, and education. Dr. Keto E. Mshigeni, vice chancellor of the University of Namibia and a renowned agricultural scientist, delivered the keynote address on what he called “Non-Traditional Agriculture.” He is experimenting with the production of seaweed and mushrooms, neither of which has any historical significance to the local people, but nevertheless have the possibility of developing into cash crops with low impacts on the local area.

I spoke about our Cheyenne River tribal buffalo corporation (Pte Hca Ka, Inc.) as a case study of using traditional resources to stimulate the local economy in a culturally appropriate way. The tribe wants this program to improve the nutrition and the economic health of our people by developing alternative definitions of both agriculture and economy. Using the bison as a major tool in prairie restoration is a more holistic approach to grassland use that also ensures long-term prairie health and assists other species to restore their populations, too. We are also committed to researching traditional uses of native plants and animals. I believe in using natural plants and animals as food sources instead of depending upon established agri-businesses, which the mainstream, 1862 land grant colleges push in the United States. We should focus more on subsistence with less dependence upon chemicals. The use of these natural food sources may help reduce the need for cash, and another type of economy may emerge. Examples of this may include elk, bison, and certain kinds of native grasses.

Photo by John Phillips

This conference was an opportunity for native people from Africa and this Native American to get to know one another since we knew almost nothing about one another. I learned a little bit about the diversity of cultures in Africa, and I also developed a friendship with Mshigeni.

Each of us is attempting to help our nations restore balance and harmony amid the residual impacts of colonization. We all are attempting to use our professional training in agriculture to construct appropriate programs that will restore our economies so our people will once again have nutritional and economic health and well being. Already, Mshigeni and I plan to collaborate on a manuscript. In it, we want to inspire indigenous students by sharing stories of others who are walking the road to freedom through education and who are contributing to the well being of their nations. In this way, a partnership between the University of Namibia and some of the tribal colleges is a possibility. Such a partnership may bring both nations closer to our shared visions of a healthier, more sustainable agricultural future.

James J. Garrett is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Tribe (Ho Hwo Ju Band) and a former instructor at Cheyenne River Community College (now Si Tanka College). While at the college, he developed bison curriculum. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a candidate for a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Resource Engineering from Humboldt State University.