Salish Kootenai College

Located in Pablo, Montana, at the heart of the scenic Flathead Indian Reservation, Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is a premier tribal college dedicated to empowering the future of Native American education. Chartered in 1977 by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), SKC’s primary mission is to provide quality post-secondary educational opportunities for Native Americans from across the United States. While its focus remains firmly on Native student success, SKC fosters a vibrant and inclusive learning environment, welcoming students from all backgrounds to a community that values diversity and mutual respect. As a vital cultural institution, the college is deeply committed to perpetuating the living cultures of the Séliš, Ql̓ispé, and Ksanka peoples.

SKC offers a diverse and comprehensive range of academic programs, including numerous certificates of completion, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. The curriculum is built upon a unique educational framework known as the 4Cs: Cultural Awareness, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Citizenship. This holistic approach ensures that all students, regardless of their background, are not only academically proficient but also graduate as well-rounded, engaged citizens prepared to make a positive impact. Coursework is enriched by integrating Native American history, culture, and viewpoints, connecting traditional knowledge with modern academic disciplines and providing every student with a unique, culturally connected learning experience.

A cornerstone of the SKC experience is its diverse and inclusive community. While created by Natives for Natives to serve the unmet needs of Indigenous students and communities, the college is open to the entire community and values the rich perspectives that students of all ethnicities, ages, and origins bring to campus. SKC’s student body includes local non-tribal community members alongside students from over 62 different federally recognized tribes. To foster a connection between learning and community, SKC requires all graduates to complete a Service Learning course, dedicating at least 30 hours to community service that enhances their area of study.

Surrounded by mountains and near the shores of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, SKC’s beautiful campus provides an inspiring setting for learning and personal growth. Governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the CSKT Tribal Council and accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Salish Kootenai College stands as a beacon of academic excellence and cultural preservation. It empowers all its students to improve the lives of their families and communities through leadership, research, and dedicated service.