National Tribal University Meeting Convenes in Rapid City
http://www.lakotacountrytimes.com/
Condensed by Native Village

South Dakota: Discussions are underway to create a National Tribal American University (NTAU). For several years, presidents from North America's 38 tribal colleges and universities (TCU) have been discussing the idea.

In December, TCU presidents and educators attended a formal meeting held by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and Sinte Gleska University. Participants focused on many topics regarding the University. These included:

Infrastructure	Leveraging Technology	Curriculum Alignment
Common Course Coding	Formation and sharing of tribal college courses	Developing a a tribal accreditation model
TCU presidents are particularly interested in focusing on Indian language courses and their delivery through online technology.

A National Tribal American University has already been discussed at length. Advocates include President Bordeaux from Sinte Gleske and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). In 2000, a task force had been created and legislation planned. But after September 11, 2001, the project was put on hold.

In 2009, the National Tribal American University efforts were renewed at the National Indian Education Association conference.  In 2010, the National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution in support of an NTAU. For 10 years Sinte Gleska University has remained a strong NATU advocate and sponsored forums during AIHEC and NIEA conventions.

	Tribal Colleges and Universities  meet the higher education needs of American Indians. They also enable geographically isolated populations to access education beyond high school. There are 38 TCU’s in North America with more than 80 campuses serving over 30,000 students every year. Tribal College Journal of American Indian Education
	The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is the collective spirit and unifying voice of North America’s tribal colleges and universities.
	Sinte Gleska University was created in 1970 by the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council to address the higher education needs of the Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux)
	The National Indian Education Association is committed to educational excellence for Native students while protecting their cultures and linguistic traditions.s