Tribal Colleges - ND

CCCC Students attend Annual American Indian Higher Education Consortium in Greenbay, Wisconsin, March 2006
Top row L to R: Donovan Lambert, Doug Morin, Terrence Halsey, Darren Kimmerly, Kristan Green, JoAnn McDonald.
Bottom row: Nicole Ross, Annette Lenoir, Collette Brown, Beatrice Green
Not pictured, Tonya Dauphinais

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) was named in honor of a fallen warrior, Paul Yankton, Sr., recipient of two Purple Hearts who died while serving as a rifleman with the United States Army’s 11th Infantry in Lorraine, France. Cankdeska Cikana, meaning Little Hoop, was a proud Dakota warrior who believed in self-responsibility and the need for educational opportunity for Native people.

In 1974, the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, issued a charter establishing Cankdeska Cikana Community College. The College is governed by a five member Board of Regents that is appointed by the Council. The Board functions as an independent body with its own bylaws and who’s primary role is to set policy that governs the two-year academic institution.

As a tribal college, CCCC is unique in that it serves primarily Native American students and is chartered by a tribal government. CCCC focuses on higher education opportunities for Native students with an emphasis on preserving and teaching the Dakota culture and language.

CCCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges. CCCC is also a member of the North Dakota University System and has articulation agreements with several state institutions.

CCCC currently employs approximately 50 faculty and staff serving an average of 200 students.

The mission is to provide higher education opportunities, at the community college level, including vocational and technical training. As a tribal college we emphasize the teaching and learning of Dakota culture and language toward the preservation of the Tribe. The goal is student self-sufficiency and independence through academic achievement.

The Valerie Merrick Memorial Library hosts over 9,500 volumes including reference materials and approximately 1,000 books written by or on American Indians and Alaska Natives. The facility is both a college and community library and does provide online Internet access.

Office Technology
Computer Applications
Tribal Administration
Automotive Technology

Agriculture
Pre-Nursing
Natural Resource Management

Accounting Business Administration
Early Childhood Education
Indian Studies
Liberal Arts

Carpentry

Technology... CCCC has several computer labs located throughout the facility for student use. Several stations are wireless and all provide Internet access. Each student has an email account set up once they have registered. In addition, online distance education courses are available via the Internet or through the Interactive Video Network (IVN). IVN is a state-wide system transmitting live audio and video courses and programs to connect faculty, students, and institutions throughout North Dakota. This system also provides for meetings and workshops as the schedule permits, with credit courses having first priority.

CCCC provides an adult Learning Center offering tutorial assistance, placement testing, evaluation and assessment services. The program also provides individualized instruction, books and materials, GED classes and testing - all at no cost to the student. The Learning Center has a network of computers with Internet access with many other services provided using technology.

The College offers Dual Credit for eligible high school juniors and seniors attending schools on or near the reservation through partnership with the State of North Dakota. The student obtains both high school and college credit for certain courses.

Other Service Programs available at CCCC include academic counseling and advising, career planning, peer tutoring, assistance with graduation and transfer requirements, field trips, placement and other services that assist with personal and professional development toward success in being a college student. Current programs available include:

Cankdeska Cikana Community College
P.O. Box 269
Fort Totten, ND 58335
1-888-783-1463
Phone: 701-766-4415
Fax: 701-766-4077