Diversity commitment

College, Mille Lacs Band celebrate collaboration

By Steve Waller, Public Information Specialist, Central Lakes College
Central Lakes College and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe celebrated their higher-education collaboration as the spring term began on the Brainerd campus of the community and technical college.
In partnership with the Mille Lacs Tribal College, more college classes and support services are earmarked for members of the Mille Lacs Band. That’s important, said Marge Anderson, chief executive officer of the Mille Lacs Band, at the start of a day-long event Jan. 6.
“Across the state of Minnesota, the graduation rate for American Indian high school students is 41 percent,” she said. “Finally, we have partners at the table who not only take notice to the crisis in education in Indian Country- we have you in the circle with us.”
Anderson said the day was “about changing the face of education in Central Minnesota” for tribal students especially. “It is about partnership and collaboration.”
She cited examples of a long history of cooperation between the college and the band – redeveloping the tribal college, casino management programs, developing the college’s Humphrey Center for American Indian Studies, tribal economic summits, TRiO/Upward Bound programs in schools, customized training for departments in tribal government, and hosting a summer camp for future American Indian business leaders.
Anderson said she supports initiatives such as an American Indian nursing program, spring pow-wow or dance exhibition, an early-May American Indian education summit near Brainerd, and building a stronger Indian studies program.
“I hope that as you further develop this program, you keep language revitalization, history, cultural and community development at its core,” she urged. “It is imperative that our students are affirmed in learning how to live in both worlds and gaining skills in each to develop self-sufficiency and continue to help our people.”
She said Central Lakes College is providing the foundation from which band members can build self-confidence and break the cycle of poverty.
“Together we can build self- sufficiency and pass the value of cultural and Western education onto the next generations,” she concluded.
Other speakers included Dr. Larry Lundblad, CLC president; Dennis Olson, commissioner of education for the Mille Lacs Band; David Isham, access and opportunities specialist with the Office of the Chancellor (Minnesota State College and Universities); Charles Black Lance, CLC director of TRiO/Student Support Services; Mary Sam, CLC director of diversity; and a keynote address by Jennifer Godinez, associate director of Minnesota Minority Education Partnership.
The workshop day for faculty and staff at CLC began with the Nay Ah Shing drum group with honor songs introduced by Jack Kingbird, Ojibwe language and culture instructor.
Presentation topics included “Working with and Engaging American Indian Learners,” “CLC Diversity Update,” and “Building Pathways of Success for Students of Color and Low-Income Youth.”