Dine' College in Tsaile, Arizona, was the first tribal college, opening as Navajo Community College in 1968. Photo from American Indian College Fund
Sen. Tester urges congress to better fund tribal colleges
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times editor WASHINGTON—At time when Indian Country’s allies are few and far between, Senator John Tester (D-MT) is going to bat for tribes and asking congress to provide more funding for tribal colleges. In a letter sent to the Senate’s Interior committee on Appropriations Appropriations Subcommittee, the democrat from Montana outlined the urgency of the need for funding in Indian Country. “This is not simply a matter of appropriations falling short of an authorization,” Tester wrote. “Inadequate funding impedes these institutions from having the necessary resources to enhance their programs in response to the changing needs of their students and communities they serve.” Most institutions of higher learning receive federal dollars. For most tribal colleges who do not have contributions coming in from the tribes they serve federal funding is the primary source of revenue. The problem however is that non-native colleges receive as much as three times more money per student than tribal college according to the American Higher Education Consortium. In the letter to the subcommittee, Tester, testified to the efficacy of tribal college in improving the lives of tribal members across the country. “Every day, we witness the extraordinary differences Tribal colleges and universities make to improve the lives of tribal students and families. These institutions are positive agents of change and the key to a brighter future for Indian Country.” Tester wrote. In addition to being short changed by congress tribal colleges are not subsidized by state funding due to their location on reservations making it difficult for some to stay above water. Across the country there are only 30 tribal colleges and universities. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com)
Join the Conversation
