![](../sites/default/files/webform/survey/1320/stone1-child-2018-094.jpg)
![](../sites/default/files/webform/survey/1320/ana-language-project-logo---asrts-in-cree-language-2021-copy-1.jpg)
![](../sites/default/files/webform/survey/1320/stone-child-2017-081.jpeg)
Higher Education Institution
Languages:
- Cree,Ojibwa,Native American languages
Public | Four-year institutions
Stone Child College
Box Elder, Montana 59521
Rocky Boy Cree Language Degree Program Institute Background
Rocky Boy, Montana is home to the Chippewa Cree Tribe, and the community has two heritage languages, Cree and Chippewa (Ojibwe). With the support of an Administration for Native Americans (ANA) grant, Stone Child College (SCC) embarked on the “SCC - ANA Language Project” starting in Fall of 2020. Guided by the project’s goal of “improve the vitality of the Cree language on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation by expanding language and cultural activities available in the community,” SCC set out to plan and establish a two-year degree program in the Cree language. As of June 2021, the Associate of Arts Degree in Cree Language degree had received official accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and weeks later, the Department of Education also approved the degree. The degree program officially launches for the Fall 2021 semester, and as such, new lessons and triumphs are on their way.
- Access
- Accountability
- Keys to access and accountability
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Techniques to Retain HULs
- Dedicated counseling programs
Obstacles that HULs face
- Schedule
Offer classes specifically targeted to HULs
Yes
Adapt delivery modes to HULs
Specific practices that are the reasons your HULs enjoy success in your program
Practice 1
The SCC – ANA Language Project staff recruited and met with 8 Cree Language Advisors that had diverse professional backgrounds. The 8 Language Advisors had valuable and insightful input on the degree’s course schedule, the application process, and other important topics relating to the degree program. The 8 Language Advisors expressed their enthusiasm and willingness to participate in future SCC language events, such as possible Cree tutoring sessions and assisting with the Cree Language lab classes as part of the degree program. Moving forward, the project staff will continue thorough recruitment efforts, community engagement and advertisement, student support (financially with scholarships and with Cree language resources), and other essential duties to ensure the project’s impact and success.
Practice 2
This is the only site in the United States where Cree is being taught and the first Indigenous language degree program to be established on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. There are special scholarship funds set aside for the students. Stone Child College offers four levels of Cree language (speaking), and two levels of Cree writing.
Practice 3
Students are required to take pre and post assessments for each semester (totaling 4 semesters) to gauge their progress and Cree language retention. The students will have to test out of their current Cree level before progressing to the next level; the two-year program has Cree Language I, Cree Language II, Cree Language III, and Cree Language IV as well as Cree Writing I, and Cree Writing II.
Increase ACCOUNTABILITY Through Transparency And Documentation
Program publishes clear description of its goals and requirements
Yes
Program makes public its efforts to increase HUL enrollments
Yes
Program makes public its definition of student success
Yes
Program incorporates online learning in order to increase access and/or improve learning
Yes
Levels of Language
4
Co-curricular Offerings
- Education
- History, economics, social sciences
- Performing and fine arts
- Native American Studies
Emphasize in your language program
- Diversity
- Cultural Literacy
- Employment opportunities
- Human diversity, including linguistic diversity
- Intercultural Competence
- Language Proficiency
- Social justice
- Translanguaging
- Usage/immersion learning
- Cree writing/literacy, and Chippewa Cree cultural and historical knowledge/competence
Implement any workforce preparation activities
Yes
- Job fairs geared to the interests of department’s or program’s students
- Occupationally-oriented presentations by employers, employees, or alums
- Occupation-specific courses
- Teacher Licensing: Class 7 Certification (two week program offered as part of education plan for teaching in the school system)
Support co-curricular collaborations
- Campus teaching programs and/or centers
- Other campus language programs
- Social studies/area studies programs
- Humanities programs
- Schools of Education
- Community associations
- K-12 collaborations
- Mahchiwminahnahtik Chippewa and Cree Language Revitalization https://www.chippewacreelanguagerevitalization.org/
Keys to access and Accountability
Recruit teachers from HUL communities
Yes
Teacher profile reflect
Yes
Offer in-service professional development
Yes
Support professional development focused
- Emergent Bilingual Learners from NA & heritage/immigrant communities
- First in family to attend college
Program partner with any of the following
- Native American communities
Private business enterprises that benefit HULs
No
Partnerships with philanthropic
No
Language immersion opportunities
Yes
Program conduct any of the following as part of their in-country language immersion programs
- Student diaries
- Student surveys
- Faculty reports
- Pre- and post-program assessments for students
- Language proficiency
Partner with any foreign university where students will receive scholarship
No
Institution Information
Institution classified as a Minority Serving
Yes, Tribal College and University (TCU) (Please list the federally recognized Tribal affiliations)
Actively Recruit Students from following groups
- American Indians
Is Language Required
Yes , It is a College or school requirement
Accreditation
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)