WALTER LITTLEMOON
INDIGENOUS RESEARCHER INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
TO APPLY:
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Fill out the application here: [https://www.vistashare.com/ot2/ssview/intake/6839a06eec5511ea863a0a5edaaa6806]. You can save your application and re-login to return to it at later times.
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If you have any questions regarding the internship or application, please email or call Michael Brydge, Principal Director at michael@sweetgrassconsulting.net or 540-448-1826.


A storyteller, author, and
above all a common man
from Wounded Knee, South
Dakota, Walter served his
country in Vietnam and his
community during the
Wounded Knee uprising. He
created and directed a non-
profit in Denver, CO to serve
urban Indians in varying
capacity. He continues to
live a life that reflects long-
held Lakota values. Today, he educates others through his book “They Call Me Uncivilized: The Memoir of an Everyday Lakota Man from Wounded Knee” and award-winning documentary “The Thick Dark Fog”, both of which emphasize hope, humor, and healing, despite unthinkable trauma.
During the last five centuries, storytelling, data collection, and research of indigenous peoples have been largely extracted, owned, and often used in disparaging ways by outsiders. Thus, political alliances, wealth, resources, and decision-making among others have continued to be funneled away from indigenous communities, reinforcing systemic racism and the structures that have contributed to communities of poverty, dependence, and food deserts. Further, Indigenous Nations know well that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian families experience high rates of hardship when entering the workforce and universities. Despite these barriers indigenous scholars, Native-led research efforts, and everyday common people like Oglala Lakota elder Walter Littlemoon live and work diligently in ways that share knowledge, strengthen foundations, solve problems, and build futures.
To assist in just one very small way, Sweet Grass Consulting, LLC wants to be more intentional about working with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian aspiring researchers. It is our hope to increase research equity and enhance data sovereignty by providing greater opportunities for permanent capacity, impactful job readiness, career development, heightened esteem, and increased economic return. For this reason, we invite you to apply for the annual Walter Littlemoon Indigenous Researcher Scholarship! We will provide each competitively chosen researcher with a $3,600 stipend to participate in 240 hours of research. The selected aspiring researcher will learn applicable skills, knowledge, and confidence in applied research, evaluation, and monitoring methods by engaging in meaningful research in indigenous communities.
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Sweet Grass has worked with
over 21 tribal nations in 14 states, operated 8 field schools,
and developed over 60 databases
since 2008. Our research and
engagement contribute to new
businesses and employment
opportunities, new programs
and services for Native youth,
elders, farmers, ranchers, buffalo
caretakers, and homeowners,
tribal control over data and
resources, and more.
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To date, we have trained over 35 interns (university students, university graduates, and community researchers). Likewise, we have trained dozens of employees from Native organizations on research techniques, data analysis, and report writing in order to build capacity in ways that promote tribal self-determination, enhance sovereignty, increase job readiness and placement, and perpetuate localized decision-making.
This scholarship will allow aspiring researchers to: further pursue their research, academic, and workforce related goals; enhance their experiences, skills, and resumes; partner with universities for work-study and practicum credits; support their families; and support positive changes and adherence to traditional values in Native communities.