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LogoOglala Lakota College

Who We Are

Oglala Lakota College is on a mission to rebuild the Lakota Nation through education. To make this dream a reality, we need your help! Support OLC today.

We are the descendants of Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Big Foot.

We are the survivors of Wounded Knee.

About Oglala Lakota College

Oglala Lakota College was envisioned by the Elders to learn the ways of the modern world while maintaining the Lakota culture and language. Chartered by the Oglala Sioux Tribe since 1971, OLC has been Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, formerly known as the North Central Association, since 1983. With a strategic vision to rebuild the Lakota Nation through education, OLC is on a mission to educate students for professional and vocational employment in Lakota country.

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Operating 11 community-based College Centers where students can attend classes close to home, OLC offers 12 Associates, 11 Bachelors, and two Masters degrees focused on developing educated, culturally-informed leaders to enrich and rejuvenate our tribal communities. 

Aiming to graduate well-rounded students grounded in Wolakolkiciyapi, learning the Lakota ways of life in the community, OLC integrates Lakota culture and language into all aspects of our educational experience as a means to prepare students to participate in a multicultural world. Instilling the humanistic values of respect, generosity, wisdom, fortitude, bravery, and humility - all fundamental to the Lakota perspective, OLC graduates the future leaders of our community.

Going Beyond College Students

From serving our youth to our future adult leaders, OLC has provided a foundation for the betterment of the Lakota Nation for over 50 years.

Beyond our mission to develop college students to become pillars of our community, OLC also administers the Head Start-Early Head Start program on the Pine Ridge Reservation, which serves nearly 600 children, ages zero to five, and their families every year. In addition to Head Start, OLC also proudly offers a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program for over 300 students a year.

About OLC’s Institutional Development Office

The Institutional Development Office strongly supports the Vision of Oglala Lakota College (OLC) to Rebuild the Lakota Nation through Education by developing support through its fundraising efforts and the promotion of OLC. The Institutional Development Office strives to advance the Mission of the college through the support of individual donors and other funding sources, and to promote the work of the college through direct mail, publications, paper and print media and tourism. The Institutional Development Office promotes the college guided by the Lakota values of respect, generosity, wisdom, fortitude, bravery and humility.

Our goal for students past, present and future is to continue to focus our fundraising and promotional efforts on building the Iwicacaga Sakowin Scholarship Endowment. Our goal is that in 50-100 years anyone who wants to attend OLC will be fully funded based on financial need. As a result, students will not have to worry about finances while working toward their degree.

Learn more about Iwcacaga Sakowin

We pledge to uphold OLC’s Vision to Rebuild the Lakota Nation through Education ``one student, one graduate” at a time.

Institutional Development Staff

Marilyn E. Pourier

Institutional Development Director

(605) 455-6045

mpourier@olc.edu

Cathy Ferguson

Gifts Coordinator

(605) 455-6041

cferguson@olc.edu

Wanda O'Rourke

Development Clerk

(605) 455-6042

worourke@olc.edu

Questions?

If you have questions on ways you can give, please email Marilyn Pourier at mpourier@olc.edu or call 605-455-6045 and ask for the Development Office.

Oglala Lakota College is a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Your donations are fully deductible.