TEA Center Renewal: UTTC'S INTERTRIBAL FOOD, ENERGY, AND WATER RESEARCH AND RESOURCE CENTER

United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck ND

Investigators

Abstract

A goal of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is to increase the intellectual leadership of TCUP institutions so that they can address scientific or engineering needs or interests, specifically for their tribes or communities, or broadly for the Nation. The TCUP Enterprise Advancement Centers (TEA Centers) strand allows TCUP institutions to capitalize on their investments in STEM instructional and research capacity. This project aligns directly with that goal, and moreover will have a direct impact on Tribal communities in the areas of food, energy, and water resources. UTTC is inherently intertribal and is uniquely positioned to serve many Tribes through its development and operation of an Intertribal Research and Resource Center (IRRC). Moreover, given that these factors are amplified in the Northern Plains where natural and anthropogenic changes to the environment, extreme and variable weather fluctuations, and stressed food systems are becoming more common and apparent, this work could serve as an international model for similar communities. The IRRC has expanded and continues to expand UTTC's record of serving the Northern Plains as a research and training center and continues to operate on the four core activities of Research, Outreach, Training, and Education (ROTE). To meet the needs of the communities, the following goals are being met: 1) advancing the Intertribal Research & Resource Center at UTTC, (2) developing the institutional and regional capacity for applying science to address community needs, (3) enhancing Tribal natural resource and agricultural sustainability, and (4) increasing the Center’s capacity to utilize and promote local knowledge and research methods. The IRRC continues to be transformative for the institution, which has allowed research faculty positions a place of prominence, a sustainable STEM research and outreach model, and a coordinated interdisciplinary approach to research, outreach, training, and education. The IRRC continues to conduct and expand research, training, and assistance to Tribes in planning and managing multiple resources. A cohesive structure, strong institutional commitment, focus on communication and community resilience, and tiered oversight, including a full-time center director, continue to expand the IRRC’s ability to operate efficiently and effectively. A focus on sustainability enhances research productivity, collaborations, strategic planning, and partnerships. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.