Consortium ensures miracles continue in education

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The American Indian Higher Education Consortium, a co-operative of 31 tribal post-secondary institutions in the United States and Canada, has been in operation since 1972. The goals of the consortium are: to develop and maintain the highest standards

of education for American Indians by improving access to education programs; to develop and implement programs that are consistent with the inherent rights of tribal sovereignty and self determination; to assist consortium members to address the technical and economic needs of their constituent tribes; to promote higher educational through a

co-operative effort with other organizations; and to represent consortium members

within the academic community.

Most of the institutions are community colleges in the United States, but the consortium also includes the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in Regina and the Red Crow Community College in Cardston, Alta. The consortium's goals are to ensure that these institutions remain open, even though almost all of them are dangerously under funded.

A two-year study, funded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, reported that 30 tribal colleges across the United State are "under funded miracles" that provide job-training, cultural awareness and an alternative to welfare-dependency in some of the nation's poorest and isolated communities. The 99-page report, Native American Colleges: Progress and Prospects, was released at a Washington, D.C. press conference on May 20, and went on to say that tribal colleges were funded below the average level of community colleges nationally.

Tribal colleges are not eligible for local or state-level education grants. The U.S. Congress has authorized federal funding for tribal colleges at $5,820 per enrolled full-time student, but actual funding is about $2,860. The Carnegie report called for full funding for the colleges.

Despite the lack of funding, the colleges were improving the economic opportunities for their 25,000 currently enrolled students.

"Despite overwhelming obstacles, America's tribal colleges are educating thousands of our people, providing them with perhaps their only chance at economic

self-sufficiency," said Dr. Janine Peace-Pretty On Top from a prepared statement.

Pease-Pretty On Top is president of the Little Big Horn College in Montana.

As an example, 80 per cent of the new students at the Navajo Community College in Tsaile, Ariz. were unemployed and receiving welfare at the time of enrolment. Following graduation, only 10 per cent were on welfare. Of the rest, 40 per cent found employment and 50 per cent transferred to mainstream four-year colleges.

"Eight years ago, it was the Carnegie Foundation whose original report on tribal colleges that brought our existence to the attention of America at large," said Dr. Gerald Monette from a prepared statement.

Monette is the president of the Turtle Mountain Community College in North Dakota and president of the board of directors of the consortium.

But the need for more funding has been partially relieved by a $22 million grant over four years from the W.K. Kellog Foundation.

"These grants from the W.K. Kellog Foundation are an infusion of funds that will help us survive as we meet the challenges of the future," said Dr. Monette. "Kellog has shown itself to be a national leader in education. We hope this will encourage others in the private sector to join us in similar partnerships."

The consortium also publishes the quarterly Tribal College:: Journal of American Indian Higher Education and administers the American Indian College Fund, which has existed since 1989.