Read on Twitter
1/7 - Our investigation, "Land-Grab Universities," reveals how Indigenous land was turned into seed money for U.S. colleges: 10.7 million acres taken from nearly 250 tribes through over 160 violence-backed land cessions for the benefit of 52 universities. https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.4/indigenous-affairs-education-land-grab-universities
2/7 - This investigation has created an unprecedented database essential for understanding the source of many institutions’ wealth. Recognizing its importance, we have made all of our research — from spatial files to tabular data — available for download. https://github.com/HCNData/landgrabu-data
3/7 - We have also made that information accessible through interactive maps & tables. This site allows users to identify every tribe, every acre and every dollar endowed to universities with incredible accuracy. It's a remarkable and powerful tool. https://www.landgrabu.org/
4/7 - You can also read our methodology to understand how the database was created using primary source materials including land patent records, congressional documents, state repositories and more. https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-education-how-we-investigated-the-land-grant-university-system
5/7 - An extensive reading list is available for researchers & educators including studies of slavery and universities, treaty-making and settler colonialism. All offer critical background for understanding the role of colleges in the transfer of wealth. https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-further-reading-on-hcns-land-grants-university-investigation
6/7 - This work would not have been possible without a stellar team: @Bobby_L33, @kalengoodluck, @mcgeoff, @kathlanpher, @taryncos, @LynnDombek, @saptwit, @MarinaWalkerG, @leilaniganser, @FundFIJ, @pulitzercenter, @Mapbox, Margaret Pearce, Cody Leff and Marty Two Bulls Jr.
7/7 - We are incredibly proud to bring this investigation to you and hope to be a resource to tribal governments, reporters, researchers, policy makers, state agencies and universities hoping to engage with this story. #landgrabu https://www.hcn.org/landgrabu
We gratefully acknowledge the Wabanaki, Massachusett, Lenape, Piscataway, Nanticoke, Powhatan, Kickapoo, Wichita, Numunuu, Cáuigú, Núu-agha-tuvu-pu, Pueblo of Sandia, Nimiipuu, Palus, Tongva, Ktunaxa, Schitsu’umsh, and Dxwdǝwʔabš peoples on whose homelands this story was created.
