First
National American Indian University
An
unprecedented merger took place earlier this year
when Si Tanka College, one of the oldest tribal colleges in the
nation, located in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, purchased one of
the oldest private universities in South Dakota. Si Tanka Huron
University is the first off-reservation Tribal controlled university
in the US. Presently more than 50 per cent of all students enrolled
are minorities with 37 per cent being Native Americans.
This was the first time in history, that a Tribal College has
purchased the resources and facilities of an existing, non-Tribal
University. The purchase brought a 118-year tradition of academic
excellence to Si Tanka. Together, Si Tanka and Huron University
have the resources to change the face of American Indian higher
education today.
The school, which offers degrees in business, education, nursing
and criminal justice, has started to establish itself as a major
national American Indian University. During the last six months,
contacts have been made with as many as 32 Tribal Colleges, which
typically are two year colleges that reside on reservations. It
is anticipated that during the next 12 – 24 months, an American
Indian University system will be formed to help reservations and
rural areas throughout the United States with local economic development
and health care service needs.
On October 13, Si Tanka Huron Tribal University will hold its
first combined homecoming that is bringing together students from
varied ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Additional information about Si Tanka
Huron University can be found at: http://www.huron.edu/news/pdf/Marketing.pdf
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