| Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC), a tribally controlled college established in 1972, is located on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation in north central North Dakota, an area recognized for its scenic wooded hills, lakes, and the world-renowned International Peace Gardens. One of the original chartered members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, TMCC functions under the authority of the Chippewa Tribal Constitution.
TMCC has had accreditation status with the North Central Association (NCA) since 1978, and in 1994 was granted 10 years continued full accreditation, the first among tribal colleges within the NCA area. A typical TMCC student is a single, 30-year-old, female (70%), first-generation college student, eligible for financial aid (90%). Approximately a third of TMCC students enter college with a GED rather than a high school diploma. The main campus is located just north of the unincorporated community of Belcourt in a county bearing the highest level of poverty in the state. Belcourt is the principal community within the Reservation, and serves as the full service center for government, commerce, and education for its 25,000 tribally enrolled members.
The Turtle Mountain Reservation has an extremely young population, with a mean age of 16.5 and 54% under the age of 24. With the exception of schools, there are few places on the Reservation that are set aside for youth. There also is a high incidence of chronic illnesses on the Reservation, particularly diabetes. About 15% of the population on the Reservation has been diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. Fifty years ago, diabetes was almost non-existent among Native Americans in general, and those on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in particular. Families planted large gardens, fished, and hunted. Men found work when available in local towns or with area farmers. An overweight person was uncommon, especially among the youth. Then, when many families on the Reservation qualified for U.S. Department of Agriculture approved communities, they began consuming large quantities of carbohydrates and saturated fats, a radical change from their former low-starch/low saturated-fat diet.
TMCC is developing a wellness center for the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. The Center will provide support to the people of the Reservation in their efforts to develop healthy lifestyles, helping them to prevent chronic illness. It also will provide meaningful activities for youth. TMCC also is starting a graphic arts department at the college that will train graphic artists and provide local businesses with needed printing services.
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