Salish Kootenai College Campuses

The Dixon Extension Center, a key outreach site of Salish Kootenai College, caters to the rural Dixon community within the Flathead Reservation, delivering targeted educational programs that support tribal self-sufficiency and cultural continuity. This small campus focuses on foundational and vocational training, making higher education approachable for remote learners while embedding Salish and Kootenai traditions into the curriculum.

• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Courses in crop management, animal husbandry, and land stewardship, reflecting Dixon's agricultural heritage and tribal resource protection efforts.
• Business Essentials: Basics of small business operations, financial literacy, and cooperative economics, aimed at supporting family farms and tribal ventures.
• Health and Wellness: Community health education, first aid certification, and traditional healing practices, addressing the needs of isolated populations.
• Education Support: Paraprofessional training for school aides, with emphasis on culturally appropriate instruction and Native youth mentoring.
• Cultural Studies: Classes on Salish language, storytelling, and reservation history, preserving and revitalizing indigenous knowledge.
• Technical Skills: Vocational courses in welding, auto mechanics, and basic IT, providing pathways to trades jobs in rural Montana.
• Liberal Arts Foundations: Introductory English, math, and social sciences, building academic skills for degree progression.

With a community-centered approach, the Dixon Center offers evening and weekend classes, along with online options, to fit the schedules of local workers and families. Faculty collaborate with tribal elders to infuse lessons with traditional wisdom, creating a learning environment that honors cultural identity. The center also hosts workshops on topics like sustainable living and youth leadership, enhancing community well-being. By offering these programs, Salish Kootenai College empowers Dixon residents to overcome geographical barriers, pursue meaningful careers, and contribute to tribal governance and environmental conservation. This extension reinforces the college's broader mission of fostering educated, resilient indigenous leaders equipped to navigate modern challenges while upholding ancestral values.

Salish Kootenai College's Pablo Campus, the main hub of the institution, offers a comprehensive array of programs tailored to the needs of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and surrounding communities. As a tribal college, it emphasizes culturally relevant education, integrating Native American perspectives into all curricula. The campus provides associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs across various disciplines, fostering skills for personal and professional growth in a supportive environment.

• Business and Management: Courses include principles of accounting, business law, marketing strategies, entrepreneurship, and tribal economic development, preparing students for roles in tribal enterprises and small businesses.
• Education: Programs cover early childhood education, elementary education, and special education, with a focus on culturally responsive teaching methods and Native language preservation.
• Health Sciences: Offerings encompass nursing (ADN and BSN), community health, and allied health fields like medical assisting, emphasizing holistic health approaches rooted in traditional practices.
• Natural Resources and Environmental Science: Core courses explore forestry, wildlife management, hydrology, and sustainable land use, addressing tribal stewardship of natural resources on the Flathead Reservation.
• Liberal Arts and Native American Studies: Includes English composition, history, psychology, and in-depth studies of Salish and Kootenai culture, language, and sovereignty.
• Computer Science and Information Technology: Training in programming, cybersecurity, database management, and GIS mapping, with applications to tribal governance and resource management.
• Social Work and Human Services: Focuses on counseling, social policy, family dynamics, and substance abuse prevention, incorporating indigenous healing modalities.

These programs are delivered through a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid formats, ensuring accessibility. Faculty, many of whom are tribal members, bring expertise that bridges Western and traditional knowledge systems. The campus also supports continuing education and workforce development workshops, contributing to community resilience and economic vitality. With small class sizes and hands-on learning opportunities, students at the Pablo Campus gain practical experience through internships, field studies, and collaborations with tribal entities. This holistic approach not only equips graduates for careers but also strengthens cultural identity and leadership within the Salish and Kootenai Nations. Overall, the curriculum promotes environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and social justice, reflecting the college's mission to empower indigenous communities.

The Ronan Extension Center of Salish Kootenai College serves the Ronan community and surrounding areas on the Flathead Indian Reservation, providing accessible higher education with a focus on practical, community-oriented programs. This regional site extends the college's commitment to tribal education by offering select courses and degrees that align with local workforce needs, emphasizing Native American cultural integration and hands-on learning.

• Business Administration: Introductory and advanced courses in accounting, management, and tribal business practices, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs in rural settings.
• Early Childhood Education: Training for preschool teachers, including curriculum development, child psychology, and incorporating Salish language and traditions into early learning.
• Nursing and Health Aide: Certificate programs in practical nursing and community health worker roles, with simulations and clinical experiences focused on rural healthcare challenges.
• Environmental Science: Courses on ecology, water resources, and sustainable agriculture, tailored to the agricultural and natural landscapes of the Ronan area.
• Native American Studies: Explorations of tribal history, governance, and cultural arts, fostering pride and understanding of Salish and Kootenai heritage.
• General Education Core: Foundational classes in math, science, communications, and humanities, transferable to full degree programs at the main campus.
• Workforce Development: Short-term certificates in construction trades, office administration, and computer basics, addressing immediate employment opportunities.

Classes at the Ronan Center are offered in flexible schedules to accommodate working adults and parents, with partnerships to local schools and organizations for dual enrollment and community outreach. The center promotes student success through advising, tutoring, and cultural events that reinforce indigenous values. By focusing on regionally relevant topics like agriculture and health in reservation contexts, the programs build skills for local jobs while encouraging further education. This extension site plays a vital role in reducing barriers to college for Ronan residents, contributing to the tribe's goals of self-determination and economic independence. Graduates often pursue careers in tribal government, education, and health services, strengthening the fabric of the community.