Oglala Lakota College

Since the creation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Oglala leaders have pressed the federal government to meet the educational obligations it promised in treaties and agreements. With the advent of efforts to extend tribal sovereignty by American Indians throughout the United States came a recognition by Lakotas that control of education is also the control of its destiny. On March 4, 1971, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council exercised its sovereignty by chartering the Lakota Higher Education Center. The college awarded its first associate degrees in 1974. In 1978, the name of the college was changed to Oglala Sioux Community College to reflect its status as community college. In 1979, Oglala Sioux Community College became a candidate for North Central Association accreditation. The college settled into its dispersed, decentralized campus system which features college centers in each of the nine reservation districts. Oglala Lakota College stands ready to meet the education challenges of the 21st Century and will continue to assume a vital role in the development of the reservation's resources, its people, and the land. Oglala Lakota College has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since June 20, 1983. This accreditation has been continued and expanded in scope with each subsequent comprehensive visit.