An NDSU minor in Tribal and Indigenous Peoples studies has been approved. The minor was approved by the Academic Affairs Council on Aug. 2, and by the Chancellor’s Cabinet on Aug. 8.

"The program is needed as NDSU has neither a Tribal and Indigenous Peoples nor a Native American studies program,” explained Michael Yellow Bird, professor of sociology and director of Indigenous Tribal studies. “All the states in the U.S. that have land-grant universities, and whose population is at least 5 percent Native American, offer programs in Native American or Indigenous studies except North Dakota and its land-grant NDSU. There are six Native American reservations in the state, with a total population numbers more than 31,000 that represents nearly 6 percent of the North Dakota population.”

NDSU previously had two core courses being taught, but the program has not officially been a minor. New course prefixes will be added in spring 2018.

“It is important to prepare NDSU students to learn how to respectfully interact with this large segment of the state’s population, as well as the global populations of Tribal and Indigenous Peoples,” Yellow Bird said. “The course offerings, along with minoring in Tribal and Indigenous Peoples studies, will significantly bolster the educational experiences and opportunities for non-Tribal and Indigenous students."

Questions regarding this program should be directed to Yellow Bird at michael.yellowbird@ndsu.edu or 231-9588.

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