With the endorsement of more than 40 California Indian nations and organizations, a new nonprofit tribal college will open in northern California in 2014 with the aim of serving American Indian students from the state.
Last week, Marshall McKay, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, announced plans for what is known as the California Tribal College during a statewide Indian nations conference at the California State University, Sacramento campus. While planning for the new school has been under way since 2009, McKay confirmed that tribal college development efforts are “well on [their] way to making this dream become a reality” during a keynote speech for more than 200 representatives from California Indian nations, higher education institutions, local organizations and news organizations.
“The Yocha Dehe spearheaded an initiative to establish a California Tribal College several years ago in this great state where we have the largest populations of Native Americans and not one functioning tribal college,” McKay told conference attendees.
Next year, “we will finally see California add an accredited tribal college to the list of 37 others in this country,” he added.
McKay chairs an interim board of regents that includes other members from Yocha Dehe and representatives from the Little River Band of Pomo Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. He said the California Tribal College, which will offer undergraduate degrees and certificate programs, will place an emphasis on courses in American Indian culture, languages and government.
“There is nothing more important for native people and our tribal futures than the education of our young people,” said McKay. “Our strength depends upon educating our next generations in the history, language and government of our tribes.”
