MN House Proposes Budget Boost For Some Tribal Colleges

Tribal colleges in Minnesota could have an extra $6-million coming in the next two years.

Minnesota state Representative Heather Keeler from Moorhead, authored a bill that would direct $3-million each fiscal year for 2024 & 2025. The state Office of Higher Education would then distribute grants to pay for general operations and maintenance.

The bill does not detail how the grants would be divided among the tribal colleges in Minnesota. But, the bill does name Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Tribal Colleges as expected grant destinations. There is no mention of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, in Cloquet, Minnesota.

These state grants must be used to add to the colleges’ planned operations and maintenance spending. And, not money to fill in budgeting gaps from redirecting funds to other areas.

House Bill 750 should get its second reading in an upcoming Education Finance and Policy committee hearing. It’s companion bill is expected to be taken up by the Senate Higher Education committee.

Subscribe to Minnesota Native News in your favorite podcast app

• MNN Extended Interview: Charli Fool Bear
  This week, we revisit producer Emma Needham’s conversation with Charli Fool Bear about their work with New Native Theater, the importance of having a space for Indigenous stories, and the fifth annual Two Spirit Powwow on June 23rd at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.
• Wakan Tipi Center Grand Opening & an Extended Interview with Giizh Sarah Agaton Howes
  This week, we visit the restored secret wetlands and a new gathering place for the Indigenous community in the Twin Cities, and we look back at our conversation with artist Sarah Agaton Howes.