Post by blackcrowheart on Mar 30, 2007 8:21:35 GMT -5
UM President Dennison visits Blackfeet Community College
By John McGill
It was their first visit to a tribal college on a tour that promises them trips to all seven in Montana, but Blackfeet Country turned out its best to welcome a delegation from the University of Montana at Blackfeet Community College Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Browning. "We're lacking instruction in the Blackfeet language," said UM President George Dennison. "We have none at the University of Montana, but there are experts here at Blackfeet Community College, so we want to use technology that BCC already has for part of the instruction. We're already doing a program in Arabic instruction at Stanford University, so I'm sure we could originate Blackfeet language studies here with their technology and some visitation for the conversational aspect."
Jane Karas, president of Flathead Valley Community College, joined with John E. Salois, president of Blackfeet Community College and a host of BCC staff, as well as Blackfeet Councilmen Smiley Kittson and Paul McEvers, in welcoming University of Montana President George Dennison, UM Executive Vice President James Foley and other UM reps to the campus Tuesday, Jan. 16. Photo by John McGill
President Dennison sees technological links on the horizon between UM and BCC in Blackfeet history, as well as language. "We have some instructors, but not as much as the oral traditions that are here, and that is very important for our students," Dennison said. The university president said he would like to establish a "flow" of information from Blackfeet Country to the University of Montana in order to open the relationship. When that flow is established, he said UM is in a position to help out locally with economic development.
"We would see what they need and then follow through with discussions and with projects of the Tribe and Glacier County for economic development," Dennison said. "I think we can be helpful in that area, but we need a working relationship first."
Dennison's group was met by the heads of departments at BCC, as well as Blackfeet Tribal Councilmen Smiley Kittson and Paul McEvers. Susan Webber, director of Blackfeet Tribal Courts, was also on hand and asked if UM could assist her department with their work in codifying the law and order code and other projects. President Dennison apologized for not having a representative from the law school with him, but promised to forward her request on his return.
"Our knowledge of language and culture is unique at BCC," said BCC President John E. Salois. "So it's a help to them, especially with the Indian Education For All Act and teacher training." Not only does BCC supply cultural and historical training for upcoming teachers and instructors, the knowledge is also supplied to health care students at Flathead Valley Community College.
Salois noted UM President Dennison originated his President's Council in October of 2005 to meet with the tribal colleges of Montana on a regular basis. While the meetings are held in part to learn about ways UM can improve its services to meet the needs of the tribes, they are also important for UM to find out what the tribal colleges have to offer the university.
"In the past the university offered culture courses, but they weren't often taught by Indian people," Salois said. "So we can provide a course that is more significant, but the people with the knowledge have their roots here; they can't just pick up and leave. The technology makes it possible to work with the people here and we can offer employment opportunities while they stay in the community."
Salois observed Dennison's visit is the first one by a UM president to a tribal college. "It means that he recognizes the number of Blackfeet students who go on to the University of Montana. The Blackfeet have the highest percentage of the Native American students going there. It's good that colleges recognize the advances that BCC has made and what we have to offer them."
"Flathead Valley Community College joined with Blackfeet Community College to create BCC," said FVCC President Jane Karas. "So we're honored to be their partner."
Karas said FVCC has similar programs and that they regularly collaborate with BCC. "With two of us, there's more opportunities for both schools," she said. "We're kind of the third leg of the triangle."
By John McGill
It was their first visit to a tribal college on a tour that promises them trips to all seven in Montana, but Blackfeet Country turned out its best to welcome a delegation from the University of Montana at Blackfeet Community College Tuesday, Jan. 16, in Browning. "We're lacking instruction in the Blackfeet language," said UM President George Dennison. "We have none at the University of Montana, but there are experts here at Blackfeet Community College, so we want to use technology that BCC already has for part of the instruction. We're already doing a program in Arabic instruction at Stanford University, so I'm sure we could originate Blackfeet language studies here with their technology and some visitation for the conversational aspect."
Jane Karas, president of Flathead Valley Community College, joined with John E. Salois, president of Blackfeet Community College and a host of BCC staff, as well as Blackfeet Councilmen Smiley Kittson and Paul McEvers, in welcoming University of Montana President George Dennison, UM Executive Vice President James Foley and other UM reps to the campus Tuesday, Jan. 16. Photo by John McGill
President Dennison sees technological links on the horizon between UM and BCC in Blackfeet history, as well as language. "We have some instructors, but not as much as the oral traditions that are here, and that is very important for our students," Dennison said. The university president said he would like to establish a "flow" of information from Blackfeet Country to the University of Montana in order to open the relationship. When that flow is established, he said UM is in a position to help out locally with economic development.
"We would see what they need and then follow through with discussions and with projects of the Tribe and Glacier County for economic development," Dennison said. "I think we can be helpful in that area, but we need a working relationship first."
Dennison's group was met by the heads of departments at BCC, as well as Blackfeet Tribal Councilmen Smiley Kittson and Paul McEvers. Susan Webber, director of Blackfeet Tribal Courts, was also on hand and asked if UM could assist her department with their work in codifying the law and order code and other projects. President Dennison apologized for not having a representative from the law school with him, but promised to forward her request on his return.
"Our knowledge of language and culture is unique at BCC," said BCC President John E. Salois. "So it's a help to them, especially with the Indian Education For All Act and teacher training." Not only does BCC supply cultural and historical training for upcoming teachers and instructors, the knowledge is also supplied to health care students at Flathead Valley Community College.
Salois noted UM President Dennison originated his President's Council in October of 2005 to meet with the tribal colleges of Montana on a regular basis. While the meetings are held in part to learn about ways UM can improve its services to meet the needs of the tribes, they are also important for UM to find out what the tribal colleges have to offer the university.
"In the past the university offered culture courses, but they weren't often taught by Indian people," Salois said. "So we can provide a course that is more significant, but the people with the knowledge have their roots here; they can't just pick up and leave. The technology makes it possible to work with the people here and we can offer employment opportunities while they stay in the community."
Salois observed Dennison's visit is the first one by a UM president to a tribal college. "It means that he recognizes the number of Blackfeet students who go on to the University of Montana. The Blackfeet have the highest percentage of the Native American students going there. It's good that colleges recognize the advances that BCC has made and what we have to offer them."
"Flathead Valley Community College joined with Blackfeet Community College to create BCC," said FVCC President Jane Karas. "So we're honored to be their partner."
Karas said FVCC has similar programs and that they regularly collaborate with BCC. "With two of us, there's more opportunities for both schools," she said. "We're kind of the third leg of the triangle."