Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School facts for kids

The Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School is a special school for students in grades 4 through 8. It's located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. This school used to be called the Wahpeton Indian School. It is managed by Native American tribes themselves. The school works with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). This means it gets support from the U.S. government to help Native American students. The school is not located on a specific Indian reservation.

How the School Started

In 1904, the United States Congress decided to create this school. A lawmaker from North Dakota, Porter James McCumber, helped make this law happen. The President at the time, Theodore Roosevelt, signed the law.

The school first opened its doors in 1908. Classes began in February of that year. Back then, the school was managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Changes Over Time

In the past, some schools for Native American children used very strict rules. The Wahpeton Indian School also had some of these tough rules. In 1929, local business people looked into the school. They had heard concerns about the students' well-being.

In 1947, the BIA thought about closing the school. But instead, they decided to keep it open. They just had fewer students attend. There were also plans to close the school again in 1985, but it stayed open.

Becoming Tribally Controlled

In 1992, a U.S. House member named Byron Dorgan heard concerns about the school. He shared these concerns with the BIA. By 1993, both the federal and North Dakota governments looked into the issues at the school.

A big change happened in June 1993. The school became controlled by Native American tribes. The Wahpeton Indian School Board, Incorporated, took over running the school. From that point on, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) started giving money to the school. In 1994, the school got its current name: Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School.

In 1994, the BIA released a report about the school. A U.S. Senator from North Dakota, Kent Conrad, felt the report wasn't good enough.

By the 1990s, the people in charge of the school were often former students themselves. They made sure that the school became a place where students were treated with respect. They made rules against any kind of harsh treatment.

In 2018, Tanner Rabbithead became the CEO of the school. Trevor Gourneau became the principal.

Who Attends the School

Students at the Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School come from many different places. They come from 18 states across the country. These students represent 33 different Native American tribes.

As of 1982, many students came from homes where they might not always have enough food. Some also had trouble attending school regularly. Sometimes, families facing challenges at home send their children to Wahpeton. This allows the children to be in a supportive environment. When family situations improve, the children can return home. This helps families keep their good standing in the community.

See also

• Off-reservation boarding schools operated by the BIE
  • Chemawa Indian School
  • Flandreau Indian School
  • Riverside Indian School
  • Sherman Indian High School
• Off-reservation boarding schools operated by tribes
  • Pierre Indian Learning Center
  • Sequoyah Schools
• Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate