Prior Lake, MN – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has awarded a grant for $300,000 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College of Fort Totten, North Dakota. Cankdeska Cikana, which translates as “Little Hoop” began holding classes in the fall of 1970. The Shakopee Mdewakanton funds will be used for a library enhancement project with technology upgrades, shelving, and publications/media materials on Dakota culture and language.

“One project of significance for us is the remodeling of our small, public library toward the enhancement of materials on native cultures but specifically on Dakota people. We hope to become a premier institution that teaches Dakota history, culture, and language, and include genealogy software programs to help our families understand their heritage and hopefully become conversational Dakota speakers,” wrote President Cynthia Lindquist Mala in the request letter. President Mala is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe.

A small, rural tribal college, Cankdeska emphasizes the teaching and learning of Dakota culture and language toward the perpetuation of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. The goal is student independence and self-sufficiency through academic achievement.

“The generosity of the SMSC really exemplifies the Dakota value of sharing, of helping those who need a hand.  Thank you (Pidamaya) seems so inadequate but we are most grateful for the kind hearts of the SMSC and particularly the Tribal Council members,” she said.

The Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe owns and operates the college. Spring semester 2011 had an all time high enrollment of 288 students, with an additional eight high school students via a dual credit program. The 2011 graduating class is expected to have more than 30 students. Nearly 99% of the student body is American Indian.

Academic Programs at Cankdeska include an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology, Computer Applications, Office Technology, Tribal Administration, and Art (Graphic Art) ; an Associate of Science in Agriculture, Pre-Nursing, and Natural Resources Management ; and Associate of Arts in Accounting, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Indian Studies, and Liberal Arts; and Certificates in Carpentry, Finish Carpentry, and Medical Assistant.

Cankdeska Cikana Community College is accredited through the North Central Association of College and Schools Commission on institutions of Higher Education and is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges.

A grant for $300,000 in fiscal year 2010 paid for updated accounting and Human Resources software;  recording and graphics equipment for the Multimedia Center;  student services development to include furniture, school supplies, internships, scholarships, student activities, peer mediation, work study, expanded tutoring, and a mentoring program; facilities including a snow plow, intercom, tractor with loader, laboratory and shop equipment, a student services van, expansion of a greenhouse, the Natural Resources library, a security station, a campus emergency notification system, and miscellaneous equipment.