Nancy Dumont facts for kids

Nancy Dumont (1936–2002) was an important Native American leader in education. She lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois and her home state of Montana. She helped create new ways for Native American students to learn and succeed.

Early Life and Learning Journey

Nancy Dumont was a member of the Assiniboine nation. She grew up near Wolf Point, Montana. After finishing high school, she went to Haskell Institute. There, she earned a degree in business.

In 1966, Nancy moved to Chicago. She studied at Northwestern University and earned another bachelor's degree. She returned to Montana for a short time in the 1970s. Later, in 1983, she went back to the Midwest. She earned a master's degree from the University of Chicago. After that, she returned to Montana for good.

Making a Difference in Education

Nancy Dumont became a strong leader in Chicago's Native American community. She was part of the second group of leaders for the city's American Indian Center. This center was started in 1953 to help Native Americans in the city.

Helping Create a New College

Nancy served on the first board of directors for the Native American Educational Services College. This was a very special college. It was the first higher education school designed, run, and serving Native Americans in a city.

The idea for this college came from a group that included her brother, Robert V. Dumont. They wanted a school that would combine regular school learning with tribal knowledge. Nancy helped make this important dream come true.

Working in Montana

After returning to Montana in the 1980s, Nancy continued her work. She worked for the Education Department at the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. She also helped with programs for Native American children. She served as the Federal Projects Coordinator for the Wolf Point Public Schools. In this role, she helped manage special projects funded by the government.