 Well, not many schools can say they are the first to have an academic program that will connect Indigenous perspectives with sustainability efforts. Haiti Clotter shows us how Bemidji State University is setting a new standard. In its quest to separate itself from other institutions, Bemidji State University has found a way to connect environmental and Indigenous studies into a new sustainability degree program. BSE was the first public institution to be asked to apply for a Margaret A. Cargo Foundation grant. We're extremely excited about the opportunity to have a degree program that is really rooted in Indigenous values. The program is funded by a three-year grant that launches in January 2018 until December 2020. All of the projects will run during that time with an end goal of continuing after the grant period ends. Now what we're calling it is Guaya Kocha-Gaywin, and Guaya Kocha-Gaywin means making things right. BSU's sustainability efforts examine wellness and economic and social issues. Students will have the opportunity to explore those topics. Undergraduate internships and then graduate student fellowships. So we have two programs for students that will also be through this project. A portion of the funding will focus on hiring a new faculty member who will oversee the program and be responsible for creating the courses. People of the environment Indigenous knowledge perspective course that will be ready for this faculty member to teach because they're going to be like play a critical role in deciding what we do moving forward. Since BSU is located in the center of the three largest tribal nations in Minnesota, the representation of Native Americans in the classroom was essential. I think a student from Oklahoma who wants to be an environmentalist that's from a tribe down there is going to see this article or some of the publications about the program and say oh my gosh this is somewhere I want to be. The From Scratch program is designed to help BSU become a destination university for Native students. In Bemidji, Haiti Clauter, Lakeland News. In 2016 the American Indian student enrollment at BSU was 134 students or 3% of the student body. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.