The Tribal nations are an important part of North Dakota’s infrastructure, especially the tribal colleges. A recent report from 2017 found that tribal colleges contributed almost 193 million dollars to the state economy. One of the tribes included in the study was Nuesta Hidatsa Sahnish College or NHSC. Its main headquarters are in New Town, but it has branches in Mandaree and White Shield.
On this date in 1973, NHSC was founded. In 1974, the Three Affiliated Tribes officially chartered the school, providing local higher education that retained cultural traditions.
At first, the school only offered classes on an extension basis, working with accredited institutions – the University of Mary in Bismarck, Minot State College, and the University of North Dakota, Williston Center. However, the tribes wanted the college to operate independently, and on February 12th, 1988, the North Central Association of schools and colleges granted NHSC accreditation. It was reevaluated in 2006 and granted another ten-year accreditation. Another extension came in 2011, as the school officially became a four-year institution, adding bachelor degrees in Education, Environmental Science, and Native American Studies. It still stands strong today by New Town, providing a opportunities for education and athletics for tribal youth.
The tribal colleges provide a grounding for the reservations -- a place where young people can be educated while expanding their involvement in tribal customs and languages. Part of the goal is to help people learn business skills and community organizing that can benefit their tribes.
Dakota Datebook by Lucid Thomas
Sources
https://nhsc.edu/about-us/history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nueta_Hidatsa_Sahnish_College
http://tribalcollegejournal.org/map-of-tribal-colleges/nueta-hidatsa-sahnish-college/
http://69.55.46.117/pdf/selfstudy.pdf
http://aihec.org/who-we-are/docs/AIHECbrochure2017.pdf
http://tribalcollegejournal.org/fort-berthold-community-college-celebrates-25-years-growth/
