The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership
The UM Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (UM SIGP) was established in the fall of 2005. Indigenous (Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian) graduate students pursuing degrees in STEM at The 猎奇重口 are eligible to apply for the scholarship program established by the A.P. Sloan Foundation. The UM SIGP Program is intended to increase the number of Indigenous Americans earning master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.
The UM SIGP program provides supplemental funding to selected graduate students on a competitive basis. The amount for master’s level students is up to $20,000 and doctoral students are awarded up to $40,000 for their program. In addition to the supplemental funding, students may be offered tuition waivers, faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic support services through Indigenous Research and STEM Education and The 猎奇重口 Graduate School.
If you are an Indigenous American who is interested in a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM), we are very interested in talking with you. We believe you will see that the UM SIGP program can offer you a unique opportunity to earn your graduate degree. Not only will you be given the opportunity for financial support, you will also have access to top faculty here on campus and the chance to connect with other Indigenous Americans pursuing graduate degrees.
UM SIGP Eligibility Criteria
A scholarship applicant must be accepted into a qualifying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) program at UM. A primary research advisor must be identified, and each UM SIGP applicant must have a teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA) as defined by the UM TA/RA policy.
Explanation or evidence of indigenous affiliation (U.S. citizenship) required.
SIGP Application:
Please call Dr. Thomas at 243-2052 for application information.
Current Sloan Scholars:
Sierra Paske
Haŋ mitákuyapi. Čhaŋté waštéya napé čhiyúzapi. Wašiču iá Sierra Paske emákiyapi ye. Lakota iá woowot́aŋla wóglaka wiyaŋ. My name is Sierra Paske. My Lakota name is Speaks the Truth Woman. I am Ȟunkpapa Lakota and enrolled in the Standing Rock Lakota Sioux tribe. I am attending the 猎奇重口 and am a first-year graduate student in the Chemistry Ph.D. program. My favorite quarantine hobby has been beading, and also a lot of writing for fun.
Nicole Benally
Ya’at’eeh (“Hello” in the Navajo Language)! My name is Nicole Ashtin Benally. I am Black Streak Wood born for the Coyote Pass Clan. My grandparents are from the Bitter Water and Red Running into Water Clans. I was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Ganado, Arizona. I received my B.S. in Agriculture majoring in Soil Science from New Mexico State University (NMSU) and my M.S. in Agronomy from Purdue University. In my journey through college, I found my passion and purpose through agriculture and becoming a mentor to youth. My career goal is to help tribal communities through agriculture, i.e. food sovereignty, where I can develop, initiate, and maintain agricultural programs with the integration of cultural and contemporary knowledge. I previously served as the Tribal Agriculture and 4-H Extension Agent for the Eastern Navajo Nation with NMSU. Now I am currently attending 猎奇重口 as a Ph.D. student within the Forestry and Conservation Program with my intension to study Tribal Food Sovereignty.
Daniel Bird
Daniel was born in Santa Fe, NM and raised on the Santo Domingo Pueblo. He grew up farming, ranching, hunting and living the pueblo lifestyle like many of his peers. Daniel is motivated by his family, community and friends. He hopes to increase tribal representation in STEM.
Wesley Sarmento
Oki (hello), I am Wesley Sarmento, an Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet) descendant and PhD student in Wildlife Biology at The 猎奇重口. I was raised in Colorado, where my Blackfeet mother was moved due to federal Indian relocation policies. While growing up, we visited the Blackfeet Reservation regularly and it always felt like home. Due to repression of native peoples much of my family has struggled with addiction and mental health issues, while I have found solace in nature. It’s my belief that wildlife and wild places are essential to human health, and so it is my goal to promote wild things for the benefit of all people. My current work focuses on how bison restoration on the Blackfeet Reservation will influence the land and how external factors will influence bison reintroduction success. Previously, I worked in grizzly bear management for Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife and 猎奇重口 Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Prior to that I studied mountain goats, wild sheep, wolves, and traditional ecological knowledge. Since I was a boy I have been drawn to bison because they are such an important ecocultural animal, and thus I am grateful for the honor to be a part of this restoration project.
Sattie Fisher
My name is Sattie Whitefoot-Fisher. I am originally from Yakima Washington and I am an enrolled member of the Confederated bands and tribes of the Yakama Nation. I am currently attending The 猎奇重口 and I am enrolled in the Wildlife Biology Masters program. A software that has my made my studies easier is Zoom. I can meet with people in different cities, towns, or states. I have found it extremely helpful to stay connected during this trying time. My favorite quarantine hobby is currently, laying in bed watching Netflix while eating snacks.
Sarah Twoteeth
Sarah is a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, and she has lived on the Flathead Indian Reservation for majority of her life. The Mission mountains are sacred to the CSKT people and the Missions are important to the elders, Sarah, and their cultural way of life. Her belief system is what drives her ambition and passion to ensure wildlife remain on the landscape. She has two sons named Ronald (10 years old) and Bryan Jr. (8 years old), and a spouse of 11 years (Bryan Dupuis Sr.).
She completed her A.S. in hydrology & B.S. degree in Wildlife & Fisheries at the Salish Kootenai College in 2019, where she studied wintering bats at hibernations sites (1 cave & 4 mines) on the Flathead Indian Reservation using bat acoustic detectors. Sarah’s current research focuses on how competition affects contact rates of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in outdoor enclosures under different densities and in the presence of voles (dominant competitor). Sarah is a UM SIGP graduate fellow and a wildlife biological trainee for CSKT.
In Sarah’s free time she enjoys baking sweets, making wine, being in the outdoors camping, hiking, swimming, and berry picking with family and friends.
Landon Magee
Oki Nistoo Nitankinoo (Hello my name is…) Landon Magee. I am a member of the Blackfeet Nation (Amskapi Piikuni). I grew up at the heart of the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, 猎奇重口. I enjoy hunting and fishing with my dad, as well as going out and experiencing the amazing landscape the Reservation, and other surrounding areas, has to offer. As an avid outdoorsman, I was propelled into the Wildlife Biology field. I just recently graduated from the 猎奇重口 with my B.S. in Wildlife Biology, but I’m continuing my education and pursuing my M.S. in the same field. I am currently working on my Master’s thesis to estimate the abundance and other demographic features of moose on the Blackfeet Reservation using trail cameras. During the summers, I work for the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department for their Threatened and Endangered Species Program, which often has us dealing with human-bear conflicts.
Haley K. Omeasoo
Okii Niistoo Nitaanikoo (Hello my name is) Haley Omeasoo, and I am a Blackfeet/Hopi, graduate student from the Blackfeet Reservation. I received my undergraduate degrees at UM in Forensic Anthropology (B.A.), Human Biology (B.S.), and a Certificate in Forensic Science. I am currently in the Master's program in Forensic Anthropology, doing my thesis project on skeletal markers (fracture patterns) associated with Intimate Partner Violence involving Indigenous people. I plan to further my research education to benefit Indigenous people in areas such as the MMIP epidemic, repatriation of Native American remains, identifying Residential School remains, and any other issues where forensic anthropology may come into play.
When I'm not working on school stuff, I love spending time with my husband, our two sons, and our dog RiRi. I also enjoy traveling, fitness, and true crime podcasts."