Source: Aaniiih Nakoda College submitted to NRP
IMPROVING ACCESS, LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT IN AANIIIH NAKODA ECOLOGY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028935
Grant No.
2022-38460-38046
Cumulative Award Amt.
$562,856.00
Proposal No.
2022-03628
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[KX]- Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program
Recipient Organization
Aaniiih Nakoda College
269 Blackfoot Ave - Agency
Harlem,MT 59526
Performing Department
Academic Affairs
Non Technical Summary
The goal of this project is to increase student participation, learning, and achievement in Aaniiih Nakoda College's new Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology (ANE). The project will achieve this goal by carrying out three objectives: (1) providing highquality instruction in the ANE B.S. degree program; (2) developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional delivery systems intended to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program, with special emphasis placed on populations for whom traditional instructional formats impose barriers to participation, learning, and completion; and (3) supporting place-based research experiences, internship placements, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program. Project goals, objectives and activities align with the goals of the Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program and directly address legislative priorities related to culturally relevant curriculum design and materials development, student experiential learning, student recruitment and retention, and instruction delivery systems and strategic partnerships. In-class and out-of-class learning opportunities provided through this project incorporate tribal leadership development activities designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for future success.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90300011070100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
Increase student participation, learning, and achievement in the Aaniiih Nakoda College's new Bachelor of Science (B.S. degree program in Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology (ANE).
Project Methods
Devlop and teach 3 courses in the ANE program each fall and spring semesters during Years 1-4 of the Project.Conduct an annual review of the ANE program during Years 1-4 of the Project.Hold stakeholder meetings to identify barriers to access andalternative delivery systems during Years 1-3 of the Project.Conduct semi-annual project advisory board meetings during Years 1-4 of the Project.Conduct bi-monthly instructional team meetings Years 1-4 of the Project.Develop and implement 3 alternative instructional delivery systems.Recruit and select and place 2 student research assistants/interns during Years 1-4 of the Project.Provide leadership development opportunities and mentoring during Years 1-4 of the Project.Hold in-house student symposium during Years 1-4 of the ProjectAttend FALCON conference during Years 1-4 of the Project.Conduct Project Evaluation during Years 1-4 of the Project.

Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include the following: • Aaniiih Nakoda College students • Aaniiih Nakoda College faculty and staff • Community members of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and the surrounding communities Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?• The Project Director attended the 2024 Annual First American Land-Grant College and University Organization (FALCON) Conference in Minneapolis, MN during October 12-13, 2024. • The Rangeland Conservation Specialist for the ANC ?íítaan????n?í/Tatag ?a (Buffalo) Research and Education Center attended the 2024 Annual FALCON Conference in Minneapolis, MN during October 12-13, 2024. • The Project Director and 1 ANC studentattended the Convening of Indigenous Student Researchers conference on April 16-17, 2025 at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The activities and accomplishments of the Aaniiih Nakoda College USDA EQUITY project have presented by the Project Director at the following meetings: • Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology and Environmental Science Advisory Committee meeting held at the American Prairie National Discovery Center in Lewistown, MT on June 6-8, 2025. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The Program Director and the Math Instructor will continueteachingcourses included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program. The Program Director and Instructors will continue to discuss and plan and implement instructional delivery systems to to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. The Project Director will continue to support place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? • Objective 1: Provide high quality instruction in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program. • The Project Director, Dan Kinsey taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: • Fall Semester; Land & Water Policy, Biito?/Maká (Earth) &Lab, Ecology & Lab, Senior Research Project (14credits) • Spring Semester; 'Akisiníícááh/Wakpá Juk'án (Milk River/Little River) & Lab, Environmental Science & Lab,Senior Research Project (11 credits) • Anthony Rider, Math Instructor (supported at 1.0 FTE by EQUITY project) taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: • Fall Semester; College Algebra ,Statistics (7 credits) • Spring Semester; College Algebra, Statistics, (7 credits) • Summer Semester, College Algebra (4 credits) • Objective 2: Develop, implement, and evaluate instructional delivery systems intended to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. • Virtual Delivery: • ZOOM Lectures for students who cannot make it to class because of job,weather/illness • ZOOM Lectures from instructors working from home • ANE 405 Living for the Seven Generations (Sustainability) • Courses scheduled during the late afternoon/evening hours: ANE 405 Living for the Seven Generations (Sustainability) AIS 335 Federal Indian Law • Objective 3: Support place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program. • 7 ANE students participated in Research Internships • 4 ANE students did 8 oral/poster presentations • 3 ANE students completed ANE 499 Senior Research Project

Publications


    Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience for this project include the following: • Aaniiih Nakoda College students • Aaniiih Nakoda College faculty and staff • Community members of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and the surrounding communities Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The Project Director attended the 2023 Annual First American Land-Grant College and University Organization (FALCON) Conference in Denver, CO during October 13-15, 2023. The Rangeland Conservation Specialist for the ANC?íítaan????n?í/Tatag ?a (Buffalo) Research and Education Center attended the 2023 Annual FALCON Conference in Denver, CO during October 13-15, 2023. The Project Director and 3 ANC students attended the Convening of Indigenous Student Researchers conference on April 10-12, 2024 at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. The Project Director attended the Ways of Knowing Tribal College STEM Faculty conference on May 28-31, 2024 at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The activities and accomplishments of the Aaniiih Nakoda College USDA EQUITY project have presented by the Project Director at the following meetings: Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology and Environmental Science Advisory Committee meeting held on the Aaniiih Nakoda College campus on January 12, 2024. • update on the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program. Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology Bachelor of Science Degree program was discussed at the Ways of Knowing Conference held on May 28-31, 2024 at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The Project Director and the Math Instructor will continue teaching courses included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program. The Program Director and instructors that teach courses in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program will continue to discuss and plan and implement instructional delivery systems to to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. The Project Director will continue to support place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Provide high quality instruction in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program. The Project Director, Dan Kinsey taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: Fall Semester; Land & Water Policy, Biito?/Maká (Earth) & Lab,Biiθ oto?/Jyahe widá (Little Rocky Mountains) & Lab, (11 credits) Spring Semester;'Akisiníícááh/Wakpá Juk'án (Milk River/Little River) & Lab,Microbiology & Lab, Balance: Ecological Health,Principles of Living Systems Lab, Senior Research Project (15 credits) Anthony Rider, Math Instructor (supported at 1.0 FTE by EQUITY project) taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: Fall Semester; College Algebra (4 credits) • Spring Semester; College Algebra, Statistics, (7 credits) Summer Semester, College Algebra (4 credits) Objective 2: Develop, implement, and evaluate instructional delivery systems intended to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. Virtual Delivery: ZOOM Lectures for students who cannot make it to class because of job,weather/illness ZOOM Lectures from instructors working from home ANE 405 Living for the Seven Generations (Sustainability) Courses scheduled during the late afternoon/evening hours: ANE 405 Living for the Seven Generations (Sustainability) STAT325 Biostats Objective 3: Support place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program. 11 ANE students participated in Research Internships 4 ANE students did 12 oral/poster presentations 21ANE student completed ANE 499 Senior Research Project

    Publications

    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Kinsey, D. (2024, May 30) Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology: Bachelor of Science Degree Program (Conference Presentation). Ways of Knowing Gathering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Werk, E., Alexander, J., Bly, K., Kinsey, M., Messerly, T., Black Footed Ferret Reintroduction on Fort Belknap (Student Conference Presentation) 2024 AIHEC Student Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Thomas, D., Ivie, M., Delphinia, C., Lenning, Z. (2024, March 11) Monitoring Super Family Apoidae on Fort Belknap (Student Conference Presentation) 2024 AIHEC Student Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Gray, S., Swierc., Yellowstone, T., (2024, March 11) Investigation of Groundwater Resources on the Fort Belknap Reservation (Student Conference Presentation) 2024 AIHEC Student Conference, Minneapolis, MN.


    Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience for this project include the following: • Aaniiih Nakoda College students • Aaniiih Nakoda College faculty and staff • Community members of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and the surrounding communities Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Project Director attended the 2022 Annual First American Land-Grant College and University Organization Conference in Albuquerque, NM during October 20-23, 2023. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The activities and accomplishments of the Aaniiih Nakoda College USDA EQUITY project have presented by the Project Director at the following meetings: Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology and Environmental Science Advisory Committee meeting held on the Aaniiih Nakoda College campus on December 2, 2022. update on the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program Aaniiih Nakoda College Curriculum Committee meeting held on the Aaniiih Nakoda College campus on May 09, 2023. Environmental Science AS degree program Assessment Report Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology and Environmental Science Advisory Committee meeting held in Billings, MT on June 03-04, 2023 update on the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The Project Director and the Math Instructor will continue teaching courses included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program. The Program Director and instructors that teach courses in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS degree program will continue to discuss and plan and implement instructional delivery systems toto improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. The Project Director will continue tosupport place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Provide high quality instruction in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program. The Project Director, Dan Kinsey taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: Fall Semester; Land & Water Policy, Biito?/Maká (Earth) & Lab,Biiθ oto?/Jyahe widá (Little Rocky Mountains) & Lab, Natural Resource Issues Seminar (12 credits) Spring Semester; Research Methods on Tribal Lands, 'Akisiníícááh/Wakpá Juk'án (Milk River/Little River) & Lab, Microbiology & Lab, Senior Research Project (16 credits) Anthony Rider, Math Instructor (supported at 0.25 FTE by EQUITY project) taught the following courses that are included in the Aaniiih Nakoda Ecology BS Degree Program: Fall Semester; College Algebra (4 credits) Spring Semester;College Algebra, Statistics, Biostatistics (10 credits) Objective 2:Develop, implement, and evaluate instructional delivery systems intended to improve access, achievement, and completion for all students enrolled in the ANE program. Virtual Delivery: ZOOM Lectures for students who cannot make it to class because of weather/illness ZOOM Lectures from instructors working from home ANE 405 Living for the Seven Generations (Sustainability): ZOOM Lectures scheduled 4:30-7:30 pm ANE 499 Senior Research Project: Independent Study Objective 3: Support place-based research experiences, internships, and leadership development opportunities for students enrolled in the ANE program. 7 ANE students participated in Research Internships 6 ANE students did 18 oral/poster presentations 2 ANE students completed ANE 499 Senior Research Project

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Kinsey, Daniel and Elizabeth McClain. 2022. Diatoms in the Middle Milk River, Northern Boundary of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation: A Case Study. Circle Speaker: White Clay and Nakoda Environmental Newsletter. Fort Belknap Environmental Protection Department. Vol. 27(1): 14-16.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Gray, Sonny. Investigation of Groundwater Resources on the Fort Belknap Reservation. Presented at Annual Montana Association of Water Resources Conferences. Butte, MT. October 13, 2022. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schilling, Weslyn. Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioassessments on the Milk River on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Presented at Annual AISES Student Conference. Palm Springs, CA. October 7, 2022. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schilling, Weslyn. Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioassessments on the Milk River on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Presented at Annual FALCON Conference. Albuquerque, NM. October 23, 2022. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schilling, Weslyn. Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioassessments on the Milk River on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation Presented at Annual AIHEC Student Conference. Albuquerque, NM. March 6, 2023. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schilling, Weslyn. Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioassessments of the Milk River on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Presented at 4th Annual Nakoda Nic? Mn� (Water) Forum. Fort Belknap, MT. April 27, 2023. (Student Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ethan Werk, Kristy Bly, Jessica Alexander, Michael Kinsey, and Tim Vosburgh (2022). Black-Footed Ferret Project. First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ethan Werk, Kristy Bly, Jessica Alexander, Michael Kinsey, and Tim Vosburgh (2022). Black-Footed Ferret Project. Presented at Annual AIHEC Student Conference. Albuquerque, NM. March 6, 2023. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Colette Werk, Kristy Bly, Jessica Alexander, Michael Kinsey, and Tim Vosburgh (2022). Black-footed Ferret Study. First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Shakayla White Cow (2022). Swift Fox Reintroduction Study. American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference. Palm Springs, CA. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Shakayla White Cow (2022). Swift Fox Reintroduction Study. First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. (Student Poster Presentation)
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Shakayla White Cow (2022). Swift Fox Reintroduction Study. Presented at Annual AIHEC Student Conference. Albuquerque, NM. March 6, 2023. (Student Poster Presentation)