Lost and found: The story of land-grant universities

Mythology is powerful, but so is journalism.

 

To understand the powerful mythology underlying some of the country’s biggest universities, you could do worse than take a trip to West Lafayette, Indiana, and the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Library at Purdue University. That’s where you’ll find the 1961 panoramic mural The Spirit of the Land Grant University. At nearly 60 feet long and almost 12 feet high, its panels tell the story of the nation’s land-grant universities — educational institutions founded, in part, through the sale of public land.

In the mural, the threadbare children of farmers prepare to cross a bridge. Education — dressed all in white and carrying a torch — pushes back the curtain of ignorance so the laborers can pass through. In the foreground, President Abraham Lincoln signs the Morrill Act of 1862, which created the nation’s original land-grant universities.

On the other side of the bridge, the farmhands appear as graduates and leaders in agriculture, engineering, science and the arts. The fruits of their labor are loaded onto the ship Abundance, for distribution to the rest of the world. Above the scene, Truth in the form of a nude woman emerges from a cloud to crush the mask of Falsehood. The mural does not depict how these endeavors were paid for, nor at what cost.

This month’s feature, “Land-Grab Universities,” is the result of a comprehensive investigation, one that reveals how land taken from tribal nations was turned into seed money for higher education in the United States.

High Country News, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center and the Fund for Investigative Journalism, spent two years tracking almost 11 million acres of land taken from nearly 250 tribes, bands and communities in order to help fund fledgling land-grant colleges.

Tristan Ahtone, associate editor
Roberto (Bear) Guerra/High Country News
Our investigation has created an unprecedented database, essential for understanding the source of many institutions’ wealth. It also raises questions about modern institutions’ responsibilities — and debts — to Indigenous communities. Recognizing its importance, we have made all of our research — from spatial files to tabular data — available for download. Tribal governments, reporters, researchers, universities, policy makers, state agencies and others can download, examine and explore all of it at hcn.org/landgrabu.

In this issue, we are reminded of the power of story, of national mythologies disguised as pleasant yarns and the facts and evidence rejected, or forgotten, in favor of kinder, more agreeable tales. But beyond story, we are also reminded of the power of journalism, and how in-depth, fact-based reporting can challenge such mythologies and, ideally, help us chart new courses.

Tristan Ahtone is an associate editor for High Country News.

High Country News Classifieds
  • INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News is hiring an Indigenous Affairs Editor to help guide the magazine's journalism and produce stories that are important to Indigenous communities and...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
    Staff Attorney The role of the Staff Attorney is to bring litigation on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, and at times our allies, in the...
  • ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
    Northern Michigan University seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. With new NMU President Dr. Brock...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Clark Fork Coalition seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its Executive Director. This position provides strategic vision and operational management while leading a...
  • GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT MANAGER
    Help uphold a groundbreaking legal agreement between a powerful mining corporation and the local communities impacted by the platinum and palladium mine in their backyard....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to advance our mission to "conserve the lands and waters of the...
  • COLORADO DIRECTOR
    COLORADO DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Colorado Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Colorado,...
  • DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: WYOMING, MONTANA AND UTAH
    Digital Media Specialist - WY, MT, UT OFFICE LOCATION Remote and hybrid options available. Preferred locations are MT, WY or UT, but applicants from anywhere...
  • GRANT WRITER (PART-TIME, FREELANCE CONTRACT) HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News seeks an energetic, articulate and highly organized grant writer to support a growing foundations program. This position works closely with our Executive...
  • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY - INDIGENOUS HISTORIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST
    Whitman College seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Histories of the North American West, beginning August 2024, at the rank of Assistant Professor....
  • DAVE AND ME
    Dave and Me, by international racontuer and children's books author Rusty Austin, is a funny, profane and intense collection of short stories, essays, and poems...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    Rural Community Assistance Corporation is looking to hire a CFO. For more more information visit: https://www.rcac.org/careers/
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) seeks a new Executive Director. Founded in 2008, the ABWF is a respected nonprofit whose mission is to support...
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
    Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE
    A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
  • LUNATEC ODOR-FREE DISHCLOTHS
    are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
    Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...
  • ATTORNEY AD
    Criminal Defense, Code Enforcement, Water Rights, Mental Health Defense, Resentencing.