Grist Investigation Reveals 14 Land-Grant Universities Making Millions Off Indigenous Land
In recent years, the issue of land-grant universities profiting off Indigenous land has been a topic of concern and controversy. And now, a new investigation by Grist has revealed that 14 land-grant universities in the United States are making millions of dollars off of Indigenous land.
Land-grant universities were established in the 19th century with the intention of providing education in agriculture, science, and engineering to support the development of the country. However, many of these universities have been using their land grants to generate revenue through various means, including leasing the land for farming, mining, and other commercial activities.
What makes this issue even more concerning is that much of this land was taken from Indigenous communities without their consent or fair compensation. This land holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for these communities, and the exploitation of it for profit is a direct violation of their rights.
The Grist investigation found that these 14 land-grant universities collectively hold over 10 million acres of land, with a total value of more than $4 billion. This land includes sacred sites, burial grounds, and other culturally significant areas for Indigenous communities.
One example is the University of Arizona, which holds over 300,000 acres of land, including parts of the Tohono O’odham Nation’s ancestral territory. The university has been leasing this land for agriculture and mining, generating millions of dollars in revenue while the Tohono O’odham Nation struggles with poverty and lack of economic opportunities.
Another shocking finding from the investigation is that these universities are not required to report how they are using the land or how much revenue they are generating from it. This lack of transparency only adds to the injustice and exploitation of Indigenous land.
The Grist investigation also sheds light on the fact that many of these land-grant universities have not fulfilled their original purpose of providing education to underserved communities. Instead, they have become profit-driven institutions, prioritizing financial gain over the well-being of Indigenous communities and the land they have taken from them.
This is not just a problem of the past. The exploitation of Indigenous land continues to this day, with some universities actively seeking to expand their land holdings. For example, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been trying to acquire more land from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to expand their agricultural research.
But there is hope. The Grist investigation has sparked a much-needed conversation about the exploitation of Indigenous land by land-grant universities. It has also brought attention to the lack of accountability and transparency in how these universities use their land grants.
Indigenous communities and their allies are calling for change and demanding that these universities be held accountable for their actions. They are also advocating for the return of their ancestral land and for a fair and just distribution of the profits generated from it.
Some universities have already taken steps towards addressing this issue. The University of Minnesota, for example, has established a task force to review their land holdings and develop a plan for returning land to Indigenous communities.
But more needs to be done. Land-grant universities must take responsibility for their actions and work towards reparations for the harm they have caused to Indigenous communities. This includes returning land, providing fair compensation, and investing in the economic development of these communities.
It is also essential for the government to step in and hold these universities accountable for their use of land grants. Legislation must be put in place to ensure transparency and fair distribution of profits from Indigenous land.
The exploitation of Indigenous land by land-grant universities is a grave injustice that cannot be ignored any longer. It is time for these institutions to acknowledge their role in this exploitation and take action to right these wrongs. Let us hope that the Grist investigation serves as a wake-up call and leads to real change for Indigenous communities and their land.
