College History
SKC was chartered in 1977 by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. The College is a four-year land grant institution and a charter member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). SKC was the first tribal college in the northwest area to be regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
SKC’s primary facilities consist of 22 major buildings that occupy over 203,000 square feet, situated on 128 contiguous acres.
Since its foundation, SKC has provided educational programs that meet the unique needs of American Indian students and their communities. Curricula include vocational and academic programs that meet the needs of American Indian communities as well as many courses that sustain the traditional knowledge and practices of the Séliš, Ql̓ispé and Ksanka peoples. Since 1977, the College has conferred 4,452 Bachelor and Associate Degrees and Certificates of Completion. In 2021-2022, SKC conferred 172 degrees and certificates to 157 graduates.
In 2021-2022, SKC added two Master Degree Programs: a Master of Science in Natural Resorces Management and a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction.