Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is a Native American tribal college based in Pablo, Montana which serves the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes. The SKC's main campus is on the Flathead Reservation. There are three satellite locations in Washington in Colville, Spokane, and Wellpinit. Approximately 1,207 students attend SKC. Although enrollment is not limited to Native American students, SKC's primary function is to serve the needs of Native American people.
Programs
SKC offers 17 Bachelor's degree programs, 24 Associate degree programs, and 6 certificate programs. Although most of the degree programs are career-oriented, students can elect to take courses of study in fields such as the liberal arts and Native American Studies. The SKC offers bachelor's degrees, associate’s degrees, and certificate programs in:
- Native American studies,
- building trades,
- engineering,
- education,
- business,
- information technology,
- digital and media arts,
- environmental science and forestry,
- dental assisting technology,
- social work,
- nursing,
- psychology, and
- vocational life skills.
History
Prior to 1978, SKC was a branch campus of Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC). In 1981, the college formally disassociated itself from FVCC and became completely self-governing. SKC is a Tribally controlled college chartered in 1977 under the sovereign governmental authority of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The College was sued in 2017 under the Federal False Claims Act by former employees for falsifying student records to continue receiving public grant funding from the United States Department of Human Services and the United States Department of Indian Health Services.
Partnerships
SKC is member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, which is a community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. SKC was created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians. SKC generally serves geographically isolated populations that have no other means accessing education beyond the high school level.
Athletics
Nicknamed the "Bison" and "Lady Bison" Although they are not within any athletic association. SKCs men's basketball program has won 3 consecutive American Indian Higher Education Consortium Basketball Championships (05, 06, 07) and the women have won 2 (03, 07). The Bison, and Lady Bison also are the current AIHEC champions, both winning the 2014 tournament.
Scholarships
Scholarships available through the American Indian College Fund (AICF)
See also
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation
- American Indian College Fund (AICF)
External links
- Salish Kootenai College
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- Salish Kootenai College Board profile
- Bureau of Indian Education National Directory
References
