Wakiya Foundation Works to Expand Pathways to Good Jobs for Rural Native Learners

About the Wakiya Foundation

The Wakiya Foundation supports Native Americans in their educational pursuits at any level, from early childhood education through college and beyond. They work to broaden and strengthen opportunities for Native learners by providing resources and tools that help remove barriers to educational success.

Wakiya Foundation founder Chris Ironroad is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and has decades of experience representing tribal governments and organizations across the country in legal and policy matters. Project advisors at the Wakiya Foundation are also enrolled members of tribal communities and understand the importance of integrating culture into postsecondary education success for Native learners.

About ‘Connected Pathways for Tribal Colleges and Universities’

In October 2022, the Wakiya Foundation received a three-year grant from Ascendium to expand and strengthen opportunities for Native adult learners through partnerships with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). With the grant, the Wakiya Foundation is working with three TCUs in Montana and Western Governors University to launch new bachelor’s degree programs based on an analysis of regional labor market data.

By conducting labor market analysis, the Wakiya Foundation and its partners can see where gaps exist in the workforce and create program offerings that aim to fill those labor market needs. Credentials and degrees created from this new model are aligned to jobs that are in-demand regionally. Additionally, a regional focus helps the TCUs share resources and respond more efficiently to the region’s economic needs. Utilizing an online education provider also minimizes and removes many barriers for Native learners in accessing and obtaining high-quality postsecondary education.

Because no two TCUs are alike, it’s important that enhancements be carefully designed and planned to target the unique needs of learners and their communities while also weaving their unique tribal cultures throughout the learner experience. However, many insights garnered from this project can serve as models for TCUs and other rural institutions as they aim to fill gaps in opportunities that connect learners from low-income backgrounds to well-paying jobs.