In October 2025, United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismarck launched a trailblazing “Indigenous Leadership & Social Justice Fellowship,” aimed at empowering students from Standing Rock Reservation and surrounding tribal nations to lead community initiatives and shape policy locally.
UTTC, founded in Bismarck as a tribal college serving multiple Great Plains nations, has long been a nexus for Indigenous education and community leadership.
With renewed focus on bridging the city of Bismarck and tribal communities, this fellowship positions Indigenous students at the intersection of culture, activism and civic engagement. The initiative comes amid broader conversations about representation, treaty rights and community investment in the region.
“This fellowship isn’t just about what we’ve inherited — it’s about what we will build together,” said Janet Alkire (Chairwoman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) at the UTTC summit in early September.
The program strengthens UTTC’s role in Bismarck’s education and community ecosystem, reinforcing city-tribal collaboration.
Local employers and civic bodies in Bismarck are being asked to partner via internships and civic projects, opening new pathways for Indigenous students.
The emphasis on treaty awareness, cultural leadership and urban-tribal intersections resonates across the Bismarck-Mandan metro area.
This initiative adds to UTTC’s roster of high-impact events this fall, including the 55th International Powwow held in Bismarck.
As Bismarck and its tribal neighbors deepen ties, UTTC’s new fellowship marks a bold step: Indigenous youth are no longer on the margins of local leadership — they are shaping it.
