$4 million campus complete – Stone Child College to hold opening today

An unveiling of a new $4 million Stone Child College campus will be this morning about eight miles east of Box Elder on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

By JENNIFER PEREZ
Tribune Hi-Line Bureau

Construction of three new buildings on a 50-acre campus began in 2001 when enrollment reached 491 students and old buildings wore out, College President Steve Galbavy said.

The new buildings include:

# Old Sitting Woman Center, a 3,500-square-foot cultural learning facility.

# A 13,300-square-foot community library and student services building.

# Kennewash Hall, a 25,100-square-foot main academic and administration building.

Accredited in 1984, the Chippewa-Cree tribally controlled college offers two-year degree and certificate programs. It is one of seven in the state and 32 in the nation dedicated to educating Native Americans and preserving their culture.

As early as last year, some services were moved from the old college at Rocky Boy’s Agency to the then-completed library and the cultural learning center. Last month, college staff moved into Kennewash Hall administration building.

"We’re down here lock, stock and barrel enjoying every minute of it," Galbavy said. "It’s quite a change in our environment."

Construction was paid by the Si Ha Sin Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Housing and Rural Development, American Indian College Fund, Indian Community Development Block Grant, U.S. Department of Education Title III Construction Grant and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

Twisted wooden stairways connect the floors of the $2 million building dedicated to Chief Kennewash, an original tribal member and early supporter of education who helped build the first school in Rocky Boy.

The campus has 15 classrooms with satellite and high-speed Internet access and computers tied into the college’s network.

In May, the Native American Studies Department moved into the Old Sitting Woman Center, a $313,000 cultural learning facility, complete with a soundproof recording room to tape record elders, the Cree language and oral stories.

It is dedicated to the college’s first president Margaret "Peggy" Nagel, a tribal member and Indian education activist who led the college from its accreditation in 1984 until her death in 1994.

Between the two buildings stands the $1.25 million expanded community library and children’s section, business office, student services, foundations and research departments.

The state-of-the art college campus is an accomplishment for the Chippewa-Cree people, said Mandy Morsette, a counselor for the Native American Vocational and Technical Education Program.

"It’s how far we’ve come," Morsette, 29, said Tuesday. "It motivates the students to come to school."

Another lure to campus is its central location between the Rocky Boy Agency and Box Elder, said Cory Sangrey, 28, coordinator for the college’s vo-tech program.

"It’s our own building — it’s like we finally have our own home," Sangrey said.

When future construction funds are available, officials plan to build a student union and wellness center, community greenhouse, amphitheater, student housing and performing arts theater.

"What I see for these tribal colleges is nothing but a tremendous, bright future for Native Americans," Galbavy said. "The tribal colleges have been that catalyst that enables them (the Indian people) to pursue their dreams."

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