ABOUT BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE   

Blackfeet Community College is most commonly known as BCC. The College is a public two-year Tribally Controlled Community College located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana.

BCC was first established through a Tribal Charter by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council in 1974, and receives funding through the Tribally Controlled Community Colleges Assistance Act. In 1994 BCC was granted “Land Grant” status and is identified as a 1994 Land Grant Institution.

            The majority of the BCC student population lives and works on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. In 2001, the College began to planning for the delivery of academic college courses through the internet. In 2003 BCC offered its first schedule of courses on-line through the internet. As the Colleges capability to provide on-line courses, the College will continue to grow and provide improved services to the rural Reservation area and to tribal members who live off the Reservation.

During the past several years BCC has been able to expand and improve its facilities and grounds.

In 2000, the Beaver Painted Lodge was completed, the facility is the main classroom building and currently houses the Presidents office, Dean of Students Offices – Bookstore, Registrar, Financial Aid and Student Support Services; the Blackfeet Studies Department is also located in the facility, and Adult Education Program.

In 2001 the College was able to purchase the Blaze Construction building across Highway 2 & 89 from the College. The facility was renovated and currently houses the Natural Resources Department, and Building Trades Program.

In 2003 the College was able to complete a major improvement of its grounds by accessing funds to complete paving on its main parking area, sidewalks, and installation of lawns. Currently two new buildings are being constructed. A 5,000 sq. foot building will serve as the main administrative office and the second will serve as an alternative high school through an agreement with Browning School District #9 and the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council.

 

BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE: AN OVERVIEW

Blackfeet Community College is located in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The college service area is primarily Glacier County, where the reservation communities of Browning, Babb, Starr School, Seville, and "Little Browning" are located. BCC also serves the second largest reservation community of Heart Butte, located in adjacent Pondera County.

Browning serves as the reservation center for trade and business and has a population of approximately 8,000. The offices of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and various county and state entities are located in Browning. Browning Public Schools (K-12) has a student population of more than 2,000, most of whom are Blackfeet (92%).

Heart Butte, twenty-five miles south of Browning, is an unincorporated community with 900 residents. The public school system enrolls approximately 350 students (K-12). The majority of Heart Butte students are enrolled Blackfeet tribal members. In addition to the public schools, Heart Butte also features an Indian Health Service Clinic, a homeless shelter, three churches, a post office, fire hall, Head Start Center, and a senior citizens center. BCC satellite programs/classes are also provided periodically in Heart Butte.

BCC: THE EARLY YEARS

In October of 1974, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council chartered Blackfeet Community College, by executive action, to: "provide post-secondary and higher education services" to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation community. Two years earlier, in 1972, the tribal council had established a ten-year comprehensive plan for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The plan identified the need and established a goal for the development of a community college and/or a vocational/technical school.

In 1976, the Blackfeet Board of Tribal Educators, under the auspices of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, entered into an agreement with Flathead Valley Community College of Kalispell, Montana, to offer extension courses on the reservation. The Blackfeet Board of Tribal Educators preceded the current Board of Trustees. Flathead Valley Community College, via a Title III (Strengthening Institutions) grant, then established extension centers on both the Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Reservations. "Coordinators" were subsequently hired to supervise and implement programs and classes. Students at BCC earned credits from Flathead Valley Community College since BCC was not an independent accredited entity.

In early 1979, the Blackfeet Board of Regents went on record to become an independent institution. The college sought candidacy status for accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Candidacy status was granted by the NWASC Commission on Colleges in December of 1979. In 1980, BCC ended a beneficial relationship with Flathead Valley Community College and began serving students as a separate institution in the fall of 1980. This new status enabled BCC to more closely tailor its offerings to the needs and interests of local students. On December 11, 1985, Blackfeet Community College became fully accredited.

BCC: TODAY

Blackfeet Community College is operated exclusively for non-profit purposes to provide post-secondary and higher educational services to the reservation community, and to provide cultural, social and recreational services that are sensitive to the varied needs of the Blackfeet people and communities. BCC is a tax-exempt corporation under the Internal Revenue Services with 501(c) (3) status.

The purpose/goals of the college are based on the goals of the Blackfeet Tribe as set forth in the Blackfeet Community College Tribal Charter.

To promote higher educational opportunities;

To increase education attainment levels;

To advance knowledge and pride in Blackfeet heritage;

To improve tribal management capabilities;

To provide community facilities for the advancement of education and other tribal institutions; and

To provide cultural and recreational opportunities for the residents of the Blackfeet Nation.

BCC currently provides the following services to the reservation community and people of the Blackfeet Nation:

General education courses in support of the one and two-year programs;

College preparatory services geared toward entry/success in academic or occupational programs;

Educational services to increase employee efficiency/effectiveness and to strengthen tribal management;

Services to enhance awareness, knowledge, and pride regarding Blackfeet heritage, history, language and culture;

Occupational counseling/training for entry into specific vocations;

Services that meet social and/or special needs of the reservation community;

Student supportive services: financial aid, academic, career and personal counseling;

Community support services in research, community/business development and assistance, and in strengthening leadership capabilities of tribal members/BCC students.

Blackfeet Community College is an elder member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). BCC representatives take an active role in AIHEC endeavors and in local community and state groups, committees and organizations. In addition, the college maintains membership in several professional organizations.

The governance and control of BCC is vested in the Board of Trustees as appointed by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council. The "Board" consists of five voting (appointed) members and one non-voting (student) member. The communities of Browning, Old Agency, Browning #2, Seville and Heart Butte are all represented. The Associated Students of Blackfeet Community College Student Council is represented by its president. Board members serve five- (5) year staggered terms. No more than two terms are allowed Board members.

The Board appoints a President who is responsible for overall leadership and administration of the college. The Board delegates to the President the authority to administer Board policies that govern the college with the understanding that the development and approval of college policy is the exclusive duty of the Board. In the absence of Board policy, the President has final authority for decision making until relevant Board policy is adopted.

The college enrolls and serves approximately 250 students each quarter. Transfer of BCC credits is facilitated by articulation agreements with various units of the Montana University System. The primary funding source for BCC operations is from the Tribally Controlled Community College Act of 1978. Several discretionary grants are successfully sought and implemented on a regular basis.

Blackfeet Community College has grown significantly over the years. New programs and degrees are evident, as is the increased level of education on the Blackfeet Nation. Renovations to older buildings and new construction projects have been dramatic, to say the least. The future holds even more promise for the college and the Blackfeet people.