First National American Indian University

An unprecedented merger took place earlier this year when Si Tanka College, one of the oldest tribal colleges in the nation, located in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, purchased one of the oldest private universities in South Dakota. Si Tanka Huron University is the first off-reservation Tribal controlled university in the US. Presently more than 50 per cent of all students enrolled are minorities with 37 per cent being Native Americans.

This was the first time in history, that a Tribal College has purchased the resources and facilities of an existing, non-Tribal University. The purchase brought a 118-year tradition of academic excellence to Si Tanka. Together, Si Tanka and Huron University have the resources to change the face of American Indian higher education today.

The school, which offers degrees in business, education, nursing and criminal justice, has started to establish itself as a major national American Indian University. During the last six months, contacts have been made with as many as 32 Tribal Colleges, which typically are two year colleges that reside on reservations. It is anticipated that during the next 12 – 24 months, an American Indian University system will be formed to help reservations and rural areas throughout the United States with local economic development and health care service needs.

On October 13, Si Tanka Huron Tribal University will hold its first combined homecoming that is bringing together students from varied ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Additional information about Si Tanka
Huron University can be found at: http://www.huron.edu/news/pdf/Marketing.pdf

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