Community-driven health access and workforce development in fort belknap and surrounding region - this project aims to improve access to skilled healthcare on the fort belknap reservation by the end…

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) awarded $900,000 to Aaniiih Nakoda College under the Native American Programs Assistance Listing (CFDA 93.612) on September 30, 2025, to implement a three-year community-driven health access and workforce development initiative serving the Fort Belknap Indian Community. The primary products and services include expansion of the college's nursing and allied health programs through increased Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, implementation of trauma-informed care and critical care clinical education for nursing students, curriculum development guided by the Medicine Wheel and traditional Native American knowledge, classroom instruction, clinical placements, and certification support. All programming is designed and overseen by a Nursing Advisory Committee comprising local healthcare professionals, elders, and traditional leaders to ensure cultural relevance and community-centered values.

The grant directly serves low-income, first-generation Native American students who are enrolled members of the Aaniiih and Nakoda Nations, addressing critical gaps in emergency and frontline healthcare capacity while promoting economic self-sufficiency in a region facing geographic isolation, high rates of chronic illness, and mental health challenges. Project graduates will emerge equipped with both technical competency and community-centered values to address local health workforce shortages and deliver trusted, culturally responsive care to the Fort Belknap reservation and surrounding region through the completion date of September 29, 2028.

Community-driven health access and workforce development in fort belknap and surrounding region - this project aims to improve access to skilled healthcare on the fort belknap reservation by the end of the project period through expanded CNA training and the implementation of trauma and critical care education for nursing students, addressing gaps in emergency and frontline care. The project will strengthen critical care and emergency preparedness while promoting economic self-sufficiency for the fort belknap indian community and surrounding areas. Aaniiih nakoda college (ANC) will expand its nursing and allied health programs to include critical care clinicals, trauma-informed care training, and increased CNA preparation. All training will be guided by the medicine wheel and traditional native american community knowledge to ensure grounded education and care. Fort belknap faces high rates of negative health outcomes, such as chronic illness, mental health challenges, and a lack of locally-based care, which are exacerbated by geographic isolation and economic hardship. Local members have emphasized the need for "our own people" to deliver healthcare: providers who understand and respect local traditions and can offer trusted support during medical crises. The project will primarily serve native american students who are low-income, first-generation college students and enrolled members of the aaniinen and nakoda nations. Services will include classroom instruction, clinical placements, certification support, and curriculum development, all shaped by the nursing advisory committee consisting of local healthcare professionals, elders, and traditional leaders. Graduates will emerge with both technical competency and native american community centered values, equipped to meet local health needs. This initiative will contribute to a sustainable local healthcare workforce and support long-term well-being and resilience.