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1. Cuts Support for Indigenous Students

Many colleges have special programs to support Indigenous students. These programs:

• Help students with schoolwork and provide mentors

• Offer scholarships and financial aid help

• Create safe spaces where Indigenous students can connect

If this bill passes, the funding for these programs could be cut, making it harder for Indigenous students to stay in school and graduate.

2. Ignores the Challenges Indigenous Students Face

For many years, Indigenous people have faced unfair treatment, such as being forced to leave their lands and having their schools underfunded. Colleges created programs to help fix these issues by:

• Teaching about Indigenous history and culture

• Encouraging more Indigenous students to go to college

• Offering special programs to support their success

If these programs disappear, Indigenous students may not get the help they need to overcome these challenges.

3. Reduces Indigenous Representation

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs help fund Indigenous student groups, cultural events, and even land acknowledgments (recognizing the Indigenous people who lived on the land before). Without funding, there may be:

• Fewer Indigenous teachers and staff

• Less recognition of Indigenous history and culture

• Fewer Indigenous students joining or staying in college

4. Silences Indigenous Voices

The bill also makes it harder for colleges to discuss race, ethnicity, and gender. 

• Make it less likely that Indigenous professors and staff get hired

• Reduce funding for Native studies programming

• Limit the ability of Indigenous students to share their perspectives

5. Weakens Indigenous Advocacy

Indigenous students and leaders often work with colleges to fight for essential issues like tribal rights and land protection. DEI programs help fund these efforts, but if this bill passes:

• Schools may stop working with Tribal Nations and Native organizations

• Fewer resources will be available to fight against harmful mascots and stereotypes

• Less research and legal support will be available for Indigenous rights

6. Creates an Unwelcoming Environment

Without DEI programs, colleges may not address racism or discrimination against Indigenous students. This type of environment could lead to:

• More harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people

• Racism and bias going unchallenged

• Indigenous students feeling isolated and unsupported in college

Final Thoughts

This bill may seem like it treats all students the same, but it ignores the fact that Indigenous students already face many barriers in education. Instead of creating fairness, it could take away essential resources, making college harder for Indigenous students and preventing them from succeeding.

To access more information about Indigenous students in higher education, the American Indian College Fund released the Report on Native High Education Success Strategies, which can be found here.

Investigation reveals how universities profit off land taken from Indigenous people

Source: PBS NewsHour