Northwest Indian College facts for kids
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Xwlemi Elh > Tal > Nexw Squl
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Former names
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Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture, Lummi Community College |
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| Motto | Through education, Northwest Indian College promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge. |
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Motto in English
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Building People, Building Nations |
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1973 |
| President | Dr. Lexie Tom |
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Academic staff
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100 (33 full-time, 67 part-time) |
| Undergraduates | 1000 (2025) |
| Address |
2522 Kwina Rd.
,
,
U.S.
48°47′39″N 122°36′51″W / 48.79417°N 122.61417°W |
| Campus | Urban/Suburban Lummi Nation (main campus) reserve, Swinomish, Tulalip, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, and Nez Perce. |
| Affiliations | AIHEC |
Northwest Indian College (also known by its Lummi name, Xwlemi Elh>Tal>Nexw Squl) is a special kind of college in Bellingham, Washington, USA. It is a public college created by the Lummi Nation. This college is the only one of its kind that helps Native American communities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho get a college education.
Contents
College History
Northwest Indian College, often called NWIC, was started to help Native American students. Many of these students live in places far from other colleges. NWIC gives them a chance to continue their education after high school.
Early Beginnings
The college first opened in 1973. It was called the Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture. Aquaculture is about raising fish and shellfish. The school trained people to work in fish farms owned by Native American tribes in the U.S. and Canada.
In 1983, the Lummi Nation decided to create a bigger college. They named it Lummi Community College. This new college offered more types of education for tribal members.
Becoming a Four-Year College
Lummi Community College worked hard to become officially recognized. In 1993, it earned its accreditation. This means it met high standards for education. At this time, it changed its name to Northwest Indian College.
One year later, in 1994, NWIC became a "land-grant college." This is a special title given to colleges that focus on practical education and research.
The college kept growing and adding more programs. By September 2008, NWIC was approved to offer four-year bachelor's degrees.
New Leadership
In May 2025, something very important happened. The college announced that Dr. Lexie Tom became the new President. She is the first person from the Lummi Nation and a former student of NWIC to lead the college.
Before Dr. Tom, Dr. Justin Guillory, who is from the Nez Perce Tribe, was the President from 2012 to 2024.
What You Can Study
NWIC offers many different types of degrees. You can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. They also have Associate degrees, which are usually two-year programs. These include Associate of Arts and Sciences and Associate of Science degrees.
The college has an "open enrollment" policy. This means you do not need to take tests like the SAT or ACT to apply. This makes it easier for many students to attend.
Where is the College?
The main campus of Northwest Indian College is on the Lummi Indian Reservation in Washington state. This is close to the city of Bellingham.
Besides the main campus, NWIC has five other learning sites. These are located in different tribal communities. You can find them in Tulalip, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, and Nez Perce.
Working Together
NWIC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group brings together tribal colleges to make tribal nations stronger. They work to improve the lives of Native Americans and Alaska Natives through education.
Students at NWIC can also get help paying for college. Scholarships are available through the American Indian College Fund (AICF) and the NWIC Foundation.
