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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 exercises its sovereignty by chartering the Lakota Higher Education Center. This marked the commencement of a vision’s realization which continues to evolve in the history of the Oglala Lakota.
During its non-accredited years, the college entered into agreements with Black Hills State College, University of South Dakota, and South Dakota State University to “borrow” their accreditation for various associated degree programs. Students were taught on the reservation by faculty chosen by the college but approved by the state institutions, who taught the same courses as offered in South Dakota’s colleges. It was complicated system but it met the needs of students.
The college awarded it first associate degrees in 1974. In 1978, the name of the college was changed to Oglala Sioux Community College to reflect its status as a 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.
In 1980, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council allowed the college to occupy its present administrative center. Piya Wiconi is the most visible symbol of the college but the district centers where the mission is being fulfilled.
When accreditation was granted in 1983, the degree offerings were a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Associate Degrees in Education, Human Services, General Studies, Nursing, Lakota Studies, Business and Vocational fields. In subsequent accreditations by North Central in 1987, 1992, and 1994, the college has expanded its Bachelor Degrees in Lakota Studies, Human Services, and Applied Sciences, and a Master’s Degree in Tribal Leadership.
At the 1983 annual retreat, OSCC underwent another name change to Oglala Lakota College to reflect is status as a four year degree granting institution and to replace the word Sioux with Lakota. Since Sioux is not a word in our language, the proper word to describe our people in Lakota.
Oglala Lakota College is governed by a 13 member Board of Trustees with membership coming from nine reservation districts, two from the Oglala Tribal Council, one from the OST President or his designee, and a student representative.
As a result of the most recent comprehensive accreditation review in March in 1998, NCA granted continuing accreditation for all existing degrees, the Masters degree in Lakota Leadership/Management, and an added Masters Degree emphasis in Educational Administration. NCA also removed distance and site limitations.
As Oglala Lakota College enters the 21st Century, it stands ready to meet the education challenges of the future. The college will continue to assume a vital role in the development of the reservation’s resources, its people, and the land.
On June 20, 1983, Oglala Lakota College was officially accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This accreditation has renewed and expanded in scope in each comprehensive visit by the Commission since then.
At present, OLC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and offers degrees at the associate, baccalaureate and masters level. It can offer accredited graduate courses and certificates. Education graduates are certified by the South Dakota Division of Education. Nursing graduates are certified by the South Dakota State Board of Nursing and are permitted to sit for the Registered Nurse examination.
