Tribal Colleges - SD

Located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Oglala Lakota College stresses Lakota culture and tribal self-determination as a part of its mission. The college prepares students to understand the larger society as well as the customs and beliefs of the Lakota people. The reservation is located in Shannon County, which is one of the poorest counties in the United States. The college’s main campus was built to mimic the Black Hills and incorporated the solstice and equinox, which are culturally significant to ceremonies that had been performed at the site. Established in 1971, the college had a fall 2002 enrollment of 1,279 students. Oglala Lakota College operates 10 learning centers on the Pine Ridge Reservation. In addition to its associate degree and bachelor degree programs, it is one of two tribal colleges to offer a master degree program.