About the Coalition
The Tribal Extension Office sponsors the Native American Coalition (NAC) which builds relationships and partnerships between the Nebraska Extension and Native American communities and organizations. The work of NAC is to help Nebraska Extension staff work more effectively with Native American communities, to build bridges between tribal and non-tribal communities, to facilitate community development and leadership in Native communities and to bring Native American traditional worldviews, languages, cultures and histories to the University of Nebraska and non-tribal communities.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
"We would like to begin by acknowledging that the University of Nebraska is a land-grant institution with campuses and programs on the past, present, and future homelands of the Pawnee, Ponca, Oto-Missouria, Omaha, Dakota, Lakota, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Kaw Peoples, as well as the relocated Ho-Chunk, Iowa, and Sac and Fox Peoples. Please take a moment to consider the legacies of more than 150 years of displacement, violence, settlement, and survival that bring us together here today. At the University of Nebraska, we respect and seek out inclusion of differences, realizing we can learn from each other, and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with the Indigenous People of Nebraska."
– Chuck Hibberd, Nebraska Extension Emeriti
Recent News
Indigenous Foods Programs
Indigenous Youth Food Sovereignty Program
This program will welcome Indigenous high school students onto East Campus to engage with Indigenous elders and Nebraska Extension faculty to learn how to grow their own food and establish food sovereignty for their families and communities. They will meet on Saturday mornings throughout the year to learn how to prepare, maintain, harvest and preserve the food they will grow in the Indigenous Garden.
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Nation Nourishment Program
This tribal food sustainability program is designed to create local food producers for the Umonhon Nation. These food producers will grow food for their families, communities and commercial venues to create economic development.
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Turtle Island Trade Coalition
The Turtle Island Trade Coalition (TITC) is an Indigenous food trade hub that serves tribal nations and communities throughout the United States. Tribal members of the coalition receive multiple benefits including an online space where you can easily market and sell products, a profile on the National Market Maker business directory, access to grant opportunities, ability to attend business training workshops, and free registration to the annual Turtle Island Trade Coalition Food Sovereignty Conference.
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Umóⁿhoⁿ Nation Hydroponics Initiative
This initiative focuses on hydroponics, a non-traditional method for growing food. Hydroponics involves growing plants without soil by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. This program will provide year-round fresh food for the Umóⁿhoⁿ Nation.
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Online Native Nutrition Course & Video Resources
Learn more about our free online Introduction to Native Nutrition training course and find video resources on nutrition education, food safety and preparation, recipe demonstrations, and food preservation.
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Indigenous Education Programs & Courses
Hoop of Learning Program
The Hoop of Learning Program is a college bridge pathway program in partnership between the Tribal Extension Office and Southeast Community College. This program is open to Indigenous 11th and 12th grade students in the Lincoln Public School District and provides students with the opportunity to receive both high school and college credit by enrolling in courses at Southeast Community College.
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Introduction to Native American Studies Course
This Introduction to Native American Studies class examines major issues facing Native Americans today. Focus will be on the analysis of issues surrounding tribal efforts toward self-determination. Registration deadline for this upcoming course is May 21, and classes begin on May 29th, 2025.
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Applied Science Online Degree Program
This online program provides tribal students the opportunity to take classes from the convenience of their homes or at the Nebraska Indian Community College’s computer labs. Applied Science is one of the most flexible majors, allowing you to choose from several areas of emphasis: Food, Animal and Plant Science, Current and Emerging Technologies, Ecosystems Science and Management, or Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Economics.
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