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Tribal funds available for college bound students by M.S. Sacry for the Valley Journal
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Fewer CSKT tribal members applied for college aid last year, following national trends, but the tribe has both funds available for education and positions that need filling by college graduates, a tribal education official told tribal council in mid-January. “Since COVID-19 hit, the number of applicants has dropped,” Tribal Education Department Scholarship Officer Miranda Burland said. “... We’ve dropped drastically, and part of that is either students are working, or they just don’t want to be in classes.” This follows with a national trend. According to data released in
January, college enrollment has dropped by 938,000 students since fall of 2019, accounting for a loss of 5.1% in enrollment. The bulk of the loss comes in community colleges, where the National Student Clearinghouse reports enrollment has dropped by 13%. Some higher education experts have sounded the alarm on the impacts lower enrollment could have in the long term. Critical jobs for social services like doctors, nurses, social workers and schoolteachers could remain open in the future if not enough students enroll in present-day. Statistically, people with degrees also generate more tax revenue than those who do not earn degrees. Without that revenue,
there could be fewer tax dollars available for services like healthcare, roads, and schools in the future, experts warn. On average, 250 to 280 students usually apply for aid from CSKT, but this year only around 200 have. Burland said she’s returned higher ed funding every year, even when the tribe had more applicants. Burland estimates that on average, around six graduate students and 24 undergraduates graduate every year after receiving assistance from the program. More funds will be available for students pursing degrees in specific degree fields, including civil and electrical engineering, hydrology, K-12 teachers, pharmacy, and social work. Junior and senior
undergraduate students and graduates in those fields can receive up to $6,000 per academic year, according to the presentation. These fields identified as areas where the tribe needs workers. Burland said the higher amount is available for upper division students because occasionally lower division students do drop out after receiving funding. Upper-level students are typically more likely to graduate, according to Burland and other council members. “The hope is just to get more students to apply,” Burland said. “... I want to fund students. I want to fund them all.” The scholarships can be awarded to accredited trade schools, to cover programs like beauty school, heavy equipment
I want to fund students. I want to fund them all.” - Scholarship Officer Miranda Burland
operation, or lineman programs, Burland added. “On average, it’s maybe five students,” she said. “It’s not very many students who do the trade programs... I would like to see more, and when we visit with high school seniors that’s one of the things we do talk about.” Council member Len TwoTeeth encouraged Burland to get in touch with the tribal legal department to obtain a list of jobs that will be needed to implement the CSKT Tribal Water Compact, a multi-billion
settlement made between the U.S. government, State of Montana, and the tribes last year. Some of the jobs that will be needed to implement the compact include civil and electrical engineers, according to Burland. “These are jobs that are going to be needed and are something that will require education,” TwoTeeth said. For more information about CSKT’s Higher Education Scholarship program, visit http:// www.cskteducation.org/ en-us/higher-education/ higher-ed-scholarship.
Montana Leopold Conservation Award seeks applicants News from Sand County Foundation
MONTANA — Know a Montana rancher, farmer or forestland owner who goes above and beyond in the stewardship and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2022 Montana Leopold Conservation Award. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 23 states for ex-
traordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Montana, the $10,000 award is presented with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rangeland Resources Committee. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leo-
pold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found online at the Sand County Foundation website. The application deadline is March 15. Applications can be emailed to sbarta@mt.gov or mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o State Coordinator Rangeland Resources Valley Journal
Program, Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation,220 W. Lamme, Suite 1A, Bozeman, MT 59715. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. “Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “These hard-working families are essential to our environ-
ment, food system and rural economy.” “Our farmers, ranchers, and forestland managers are leading the effort on the ground to implement conservation practices for the benefit of all Montanans,” said Amanda Kaster, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Director. “Recognizing their dedication to the land through the Leopold Conservation Award is just one small way we can acknowledge their work.” February 2, 2022 - 5
