Aaniiih Nakoda College is a tribal college located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Harlem, Montana. The institution incorporates native culture into the curriculum and promotes cultural identity; however, the school is open to both tribal and non-tribal members. Aaniiih Nakoda College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, which is a community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. ANC was created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians. ANC generally serves geographically isolated populations that have no other means accessing education beyond the high school level.
History
Aaniiih Nakoda College was founded in 1984 by men and women from the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council, Fort Belknap Education Department, and Fort Belknap campus of Dull Knife Memorial College. The leaders wanted to start their own college since off-reservation programs were not adequately meeting the post-secondary educational needs of the community. Today, the College provides academic and vocational training programs and services. The College was charged with preserving and promoting the A'anin and Nakoda languages, cultures and histories. The College has hired many talented young people from within the community since the College is dedicated to a "grow your own" philosophy of developing the community's future leaders.
Academic Programs
ANC offers associate degrees in eleven disciplines and vocational training in five others through the Native American Career and Technical Education Program .
Additional Sponsored Programs
Fort Belknap Extension Program: Part of the college demonstration farm established in 1998 currently focused on alternative crop research and is one of many Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Programs funded by the USDA
Basketball: In August 2010 Fort Belknap College, along with the other tribal colleges around Montana, formed the Montana Tribal Colleges Basketball League Presently, the college only has a men's team.