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Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College |
Formed out of our American Indian identity, the mission of Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College is to provide post-secondary education rich in Ojibwa culture, tradition and beliefs, that supports life-long learning.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) was chartered by Ordinance No. 75-1 of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community on July 12, 1975 as a non-profit educational corporation, allowing the college to establish and operate institutions granting post-secondary degrees and certificates, and to coordinate and regulate higher education on the L’Anse Indian Reservation. In passing the ordinance to establish Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council recognized the history of substandard and insufficient educational opportunities offered to Ojibwa people. The Tribal Council also acknowledged its obligation to provide for the future of the tribe by investing in its own people and their futures.
The College was developed upon the idea that American Indian students deserve an educational system that is responsive to their needs and concerns. The purpose is to provide educational programs in which students experience success, enhance their self-image, dignity, and independence while training for their chosen career paths.
Due to change in the tribal political structure and administration, the College closed its doors from around 1980 to 1998. In the Fall of 1998, the Tribal Council approved the College’s revitalization under the administration of Debra J. Parrish who served as the Chief Administrative Officer until she was appointed President in 1999.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College also became a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) in October 1999 (AIHEC is comprised of 37 American Indian tribal colleges and universities and serves as the collective voice of its member institutions)
A new College facility “Niiwin Akeaa (Four Directions) Center” was constructed in October 2004, which houses the administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, computer lab, GIS lab, and fitness center. The Niiwin-Akeaa Center also has a gym, commons area, and meeting rooms. The former administrative building houses the Fine Arts Studio, Student Center, and Outreach Programs. The former academic building houses a small library, science lab and additional classroom space as well.
KBOCC currently offers associate degree programs in Early Childhood Education, Liberal Studies, and Environmental Science. Vocational education programs are also offered in a variety of fields through community enrichment programs.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College is the Tribe’s first step on its educational journey that empowers the preservation and maintenance of the Ojibwa culture for current and future generations. The College plays an important role in the community in terms of “supporting life-long learning” by not only its students but of all members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. The programs offered at the College allow students to become gainfully employed, encourage them to pursue advanced degrees, and enable them to meet their personal aspirations. Students can find offerings for associate degrees, career-focused certificates, community enrichment, and/or lifelong learning.
