Tribal colleges and universities
Encyclopedia
Tribal colleges and universities are a category
of higher education
, minority-serving institutions
in the United States
. (In Canada
, the first tribal college was established in 1995.) The educational institutions are distinguished by being controlled and operated by Native American tribes; they have become part of American Indians' institution-building in order to pass on their own cultures. The first was founded by the Navajo Nation
in 1968 in Arizona
, and several others were established in the 1970s. As of 1994, they have been authorized by Congress as land-grant colleges.
s and provide access to post-secondary education, accredited degrees, and vocational training for both Indian and non-Indian students. The first was established in 1968 by the Navajo Nation
on their reservation in Arizona. Several other tribal colleges were established in the 1970s and enrollment has steadily increased.
Indian culture and tradition have become a part of the curricula since the 1970s, when many of the colleges were established. These institutions face problems similar to those of other rural educational institutions: recruitment and retention of students and faculty, and curriculum issues. Lack of funding, along with minimal resources of some tribes, are additional obstacles. For some Native American nations, revenues from casino gambling have aided in their building educational institutions.
In general, enrollment has increased significantly, particularly in areas where reservations have significant populations. In 1982, the total enrollment at tribal colleges in the United States was approximately 2,100. By 2003, it had increased to 30,000. This also reflects a return to reservations by numerous Native Americans, for instance, on the Great Plains
. By contrast, California's tribal college, D-Q University
west of Davis, California
, was struggling with six students in 2006.
In 1994 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act, the tribal colleges were authorized by the US Congress as land-grant colleges. Most offer two-year degrees, although six are four-year institutions, and two have master's degree programs. Several colleges, such as the College of the Menominee Nation
, have developed transfer agreements with affiliated state universities to allow students who graduate from the two-year tribal college to receive junior status at the state university system. Sinte Gleska University
in South Dakota has a master's program affiliated with Red Crow Community College
and Canadian universities in Alberta
, Canada.
, founded in 1972, represents 32 tribal colleges in the US and one in Canada. The organization is jointly governed by presidents from the member institutions.
Based in Huntsville, Alabama
, Tribal Earth Science & Technology Education (TRESTE) is a NASA
-funded team of nine tribal higher education institutions and the Universities Space Research Association's Earth System Science Program. The collaboration is designed to enhance Earth system science
and geospatial
education using problem-based teaching techniques in order to inspire undergraduate students for careers in Earth system science, the physical science
s, and other fields of engineering or science.
Alternate tribal higher education programs are available, including the Tribal College Librarians Institute
(TCLI), a week-long professional development experience for U.S. and Canadian tribal college librarian
s.
is a culture-based publication addressing issues in American Indian and Alaska higher education with articles by journalists and scholars. It provides a forum for tribal students, staff, faculty, and college administrators to discuss their needs, successes, and missions.
, originally located in New York City
, but now based in Denver, Colorado
, provides scholarships for US tribal colleges and universities. Foundation and private-sector donations are crucial to its success. Its mission is to transform Indian higher education through funding and awareness of the community-based, accredited tribal colleges and universities, while offering student access to knowledge, skills, and cultural values in order to enhance both the communities they serve and the country as a whole.
Other scholarship programs abound, including many that are unique to a specific program, geographic area or tribe. Examples are the Tribal Training Grant, Tribal Higher Education Scholarship program, Alyeska Match Scholarship. and Intertribal Higher Education Program.
The Native American Journalists Association
(JAFA), founded by the Oglala Lakota
Tim Giago
, has a foundation offering scholarships and internships to Native American students in journalism. It also sponsors three seminars annually for working Native American journalists and those in the business end.
higher education operations in the United States:
Title 25 of the United States Code
defines the role of Indians in the United States Code:—Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework for classifying, or grouping, colleges and universities in the United States. The primary purpose of the framework is for educational research and analysis, where it is often important to identify groups of roughly...
of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, minority-serving institutions
Minority Serving Institution
In the higher education system of the United States, minority-serving institutions make up a category of educational establishments based on enrollment criteria...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. (In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the first tribal college was established in 1995.) The educational institutions are distinguished by being controlled and operated by Native American tribes; they have become part of American Indians' institution-building in order to pass on their own cultures. The first was founded by the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
in 1968 in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and several others were established in the 1970s. As of 1994, they have been authorized by Congress as land-grant colleges.
History
Most tribal colleges are located on or near Indian reservationIndian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
s and provide access to post-secondary education, accredited degrees, and vocational training for both Indian and non-Indian students. The first was established in 1968 by the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
on their reservation in Arizona. Several other tribal colleges were established in the 1970s and enrollment has steadily increased.
Indian culture and tradition have become a part of the curricula since the 1970s, when many of the colleges were established. These institutions face problems similar to those of other rural educational institutions: recruitment and retention of students and faculty, and curriculum issues. Lack of funding, along with minimal resources of some tribes, are additional obstacles. For some Native American nations, revenues from casino gambling have aided in their building educational institutions.
In general, enrollment has increased significantly, particularly in areas where reservations have significant populations. In 1982, the total enrollment at tribal colleges in the United States was approximately 2,100. By 2003, it had increased to 30,000. This also reflects a return to reservations by numerous Native Americans, for instance, on the Great Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
. By contrast, California's tribal college, D-Q University
D-Q University
D–Q University was a two-year college located on Road 31 in Yolo County, west of State Route 113 in California. The school ended its full time college schedule due to loss of accreditation, declining enrollment, and alleged financial mismanagement in 2005; however students and instructors who...
west of Davis, California
Davis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, was struggling with six students in 2006.
In 1994 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act, the tribal colleges were authorized by the US Congress as land-grant colleges. Most offer two-year degrees, although six are four-year institutions, and two have master's degree programs. Several colleges, such as the College of the Menominee Nation
College of the Menominee Nation
College of Menominee NationSchool typePrivate Tribal-based Community CollegePresidentDr. Verna FowlerPrimary LocationKeshena, WisconsinEnrollment371 Students Founded1993Campus surroundingsReservationBuilding Footage...
, have developed transfer agreements with affiliated state universities to allow students who graduate from the two-year tribal college to receive junior status at the state university system. Sinte Gleska University
Sinte Gleska University
Sinte Gleska University is a four-year private American Indian tribal college, located in Mission, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, a Brulé Lakota Indian Reservation...
in South Dakota has a master's program affiliated with Red Crow Community College
Red Crow Community College
Red Crow Community College is a college located on the Kainai Nation reserve in southern Alberta, Canada with a campus in Lethbridge.-History:...
and Canadian universities in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada.
Affiliations
The American Indian Higher Education ConsortiumAmerican Indian Higher Education Consortium
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium was established in 1972, in order to represent the interests of the newly developed tribal colleges, which are controlled and operated by American Indian nations...
, founded in 1972, represents 32 tribal colleges in the US and one in Canada. The organization is jointly governed by presidents from the member institutions.
Special programs
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, Tribal Earth Science & Technology Education (TRESTE) is a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
-funded team of nine tribal higher education institutions and the Universities Space Research Association's Earth System Science Program. The collaboration is designed to enhance Earth system science
Earth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
and geospatial
Geospatial
Geospatial analysis is an approach to applying statistical analysis and other informational techniques to geographically based data. Such analysis employs spatial software and analytical methods with terrestrial or geographic datasets, including geographic information systems and...
education using problem-based teaching techniques in order to inspire undergraduate students for careers in Earth system science, the physical science
Physical science
Physical science is an encompassing term for the branches of natural science and science that study non-living systems, in contrast to the life sciences...
s, and other fields of engineering or science.
Alternate tribal higher education programs are available, including the Tribal College Librarians Institute
Tribal College Librarians Institute
The Tribal College Librarians Institute is a week long professional development experience for tribal college librarians from all over the United States and Canada, normally held in Bozeman, Montana.-History:...
(TCLI), a week-long professional development experience for U.S. and Canadian tribal college librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
s.
Publications
The award-winning Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher EducationTribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education
The Tribal College Journal is a magazine published by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium . The quarterly issues address American Indian and Alaska Native higher education...
is a culture-based publication addressing issues in American Indian and Alaska higher education with articles by journalists and scholars. It provides a forum for tribal students, staff, faculty, and college administrators to discuss their needs, successes, and missions.
Scholarships
The American Indian College FundAmerican Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund is an nonprofit organization that helps Native American students, providing them with support through scholarships and funding toward higher education...
, originally located in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, but now based in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, provides scholarships for US tribal colleges and universities. Foundation and private-sector donations are crucial to its success. Its mission is to transform Indian higher education through funding and awareness of the community-based, accredited tribal colleges and universities, while offering student access to knowledge, skills, and cultural values in order to enhance both the communities they serve and the country as a whole.
Other scholarship programs abound, including many that are unique to a specific program, geographic area or tribe. Examples are the Tribal Training Grant, Tribal Higher Education Scholarship program, Alyeska Match Scholarship. and Intertribal Higher Education Program.
The Native American Journalists Association
Native American Journalists Association
The Native American Journalists Association, based in Norman, Oklahoma on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, is dedicated to supporting Native Americans in journalism, and focuses on improving communications among Native peoples, and between Native Americans and the general public...
(JAFA), founded by the Oglala Lakota
Oglala Lakota
The Oglala Lakota or Oglala Sioux are one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people; along with the Nakota and Dakota, they make up the Great Sioux Nation. A majority of the Oglala live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the eighth-largest Native American reservation in the...
Tim Giago
Tim Giago
Tim Giago, also known as Nanwica Kciji , is an American Oglala Lakota journalist and publisher. In 1981, he founded the Lakota Times at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where he was born and grew up. It was the first independently owned Native American newspaper in the United States. In 1991...
, has a foundation offering scholarships and internships to Native American students in journalism. It also sponsors three seminars annually for working Native American journalists and those in the business end.
Legal codes
Specific Executive Orders govern Indian tribeIndian tribe
In the United States, a Native American tribe is any extant or historical tribe, band, nation, or other group or community of Indigenous peoples in the United States...
higher education operations in the United States:
- E.O. 13021 Tribal Colleges and Universities
- E.O. 13096 American Indian and Alaska Native Education
Title 25 of the United States Code
Title 25 of the United States Code
Title 25 of the United States Code outlines the role of Indians in the United States Code.—Bureau of Indian Affairs—Officers of Indian Affairs—Indian Claims Commission—Agreements With Indians—Performance by United States of Obligations to Indians—Protection of Indians—Government of Indian Country...
defines the role of Indians in the United States Code:—Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance