Chief Dull Knife College facts for kids
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Former names
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Dull Knife Memorial College (1975–2001) |
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| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | September 1975 |
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Parent institution
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Northern Cheyenne Tribe |
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Academic affiliations
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AIHEC AACC Space-grant |
| President | Eva M Flying |
| Undergraduates | 300 |
| Location |
,
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United States
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| Campus | Rural |
Chief Dull Knife College is a special kind of college located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Lame Deer, Montana. It is a tribal college, which means it was created to help Native American students get a great education. It also helps them stay connected to their culture.
The college is open to everyone and has about 141 students. Many students who graduate from Chief Dull Knife College go on to study at bigger four-year universities.
The college has one main building with offices, a cafeteria, a bookstore, and classrooms. It can serve up to 300 students. There are also special labs for science and computers. Other buildings hold the library, a cultural center, and an early childhood learning center.
Contents
History of Chief Dull Knife College
Chief Dull Knife College was first known as Dull Knife Memorial College. In 2001, its name was changed to honor Chief Dull Knife. He was a very important and respected leader of the Northern Cheyenne people.
Leaders noticed that many Cheyenne students struggled when they went to colleges far from home. They often dropped out and returned to the reservation. One reason was that it was hard to adjust to a new culture. Another reason was that students often had family duties, like caring for children or older relatives. These colleges were also far from their homes.
Also, some students were not fully ready for difficult college work. This was because their earlier education might not have had enough resources. Many tribes faced these same problems.
Why Tribal Colleges Started
To help with these issues, American Indian educators started the tribal colleges movement. These colleges offer education specifically for Native American students. They are designed to meet their cultural and learning needs. The first tribal college was Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona, which opened in 1968. After that, many tribal colleges opened on different reservations.
Chief Dull Knife College was officially started in September 1975. John Woodenlegs, a former tribal president, led this effort. At first, the college operated in army tents. It trained students for jobs in mining, construction, and forestry.
In 1975, the college received money to build permanent buildings. By 1978, it began offering academic courses. Students could earn Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees. These degrees usually take about two years to complete. The college also offers vocational certificates for specific job skills.
It has been challenging to fully include Cheyenne culture due to money issues. However, the college has made great progress. About 85% of the students are American Indian. Also, 90% of the students come from families with low incomes.
In 1994, Chief Dull Knife College became a land-grant college. This means it gets special support from the government. It helps the college offer education in agriculture and other important subjects.
What Students Learn (Academics)
The college's first courses focused on training students for mining jobs. Today, Chief Dull Knife College offers many more programs. Students can earn different associate degrees. They can also get certificates for specific skills. The college also has programs that help students transfer to four-year universities.
Working with Others (Partnerships)
Chief Dull Knife College was officially started in 1975 by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council. The college is recognized by important groups like the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). It also works with the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC). These groups make sure the college meets high standards.
CDKC also has agreements with colleges in the Montana University system. These agreements make it easier for students to transfer their credits. This helps them continue their education at other universities. The college also uses interactive television technology. This allows students to take advanced classes online.
Additional reading
- We, the Northern Cheyenne People: our land, our history, our culture (2008), Ambler, Marjane; Little Bear, Richard E; Wilson, Dave; Tall Bull, Linwood; Hantz, Joan; Ward, Carol; Wertman, Bill; Chief Dull Knife College, Lame Deer, Montana. Pages 113—129
