Native American Studies
Degrees and Certificates Offered
All Native American Degree Planning Forms templates are available via. Excel for students to review with their advisors. The degrees and certificates (in separate tabs) found in the planning forms include the associate of arts and the certificates below:
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Bachelor of Arts
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Business Administration and Tribal Nation Building (Degree Planning Form linked)
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Associate of Arts
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Native American Studies with emphasis in History and Traditional Culture
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Native American Studies with emphasis in Contemporary Tribal Leadership
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Certificates
- Contemporary Tribal Leadership
- Native American History and Traditional Culture
Degree planning forms are designed to help students, with the guidance of their advisors, plan their educational journey. Keep in mind that this is a form to assist with planning, not an official audit of courses. All official degree audits must be run through the registrar's office.
Program Goals
At the end of their program, graduates will be able to...
- Demonstrate an understanding of Umonhon, Isanti, and Native languages and cultural life ways.
- Recall the histories of the Umonhon, Isanti, and other Native peoples.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Tribal nation building principles and practices.
- Combine an understanding of effective leadership with Tribal nation building.
- Examine and analyze the government-to-government relationship that Tribal nations have with domestic and foreign governments.
- Assess and examine the impact of colonization on Native peoples and their civilizations.
Process Map
History & Traditional Culture Concentration
Tribal Leadership Concentration
Sample Program of Study
| Full-Time (12+ credits per semester) | ||
| Year 1- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● EDUC 1010 Student Success Strategies | 2 | ILO 5 |
| ● NASP 1010 Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 | Core |
| ● ENGL 1010 English Composition I | 3 | ILO 2 |
| ● Native Language Level I (NASP 1410 or 1510) | 4 | ILO 1 |
| HLTH 1046 AIHEC | 1 | ILO 5 |
| ● NASP 1030 Nat Am History to 1890 | 3 | Core |
| Total Credits by Term | 14 | |
| Year 1- Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● ENGL 1020 English Composition II | 3 | ILO 2 |
| ● NASP 1040 Nat Am History since 1890 | 3 | ILO 1 |
| ● INFO 1010 Intro to Computers | 3 | ILO 4 |
| ● Native Language Level II (NASP 1420 or 1520) or additional level I | 4 | Core |
| * NASP 1080 Native American Education | 3 | ILO 3 |
| Total Credits by Term | 16 | |
| Year 1- Summer Term | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics | 3 | Core |
| HLTH 1048 Gardening | 3 | Elective |
| Total Credits by Term | 6 | |
| Year 2- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● MATH 1110 Intermediate Algebra | 4 | ILO 3 |
| ● SPCH 1110 Public Speaking | 3 | ILO 2 |
| ● NASP 2200 Santee Dakota Tribal History, NASP 2210 Omaha Tribal History, or NASP 2220 Ponca Tribal History | 3 | Core |
| BIOS 1010/`1014 General Biology or CHEM 1050/1054 or CHEM 1090 | 4 | ILO 3 |
| Total Credits by Term | 14 | |
| Year 2- Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ENGL 1040 Creative Writing | 3 | ILO 5 |
| ●NASP 2230 Dakota Culture and Tradition or NASP 2240 Omaha Culture and Tradition | 3 | Core |
| NASP 1070 Native American Geneology Research | 3 | ILO 4 |
| ● NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics | 3 | Core |
| ● EDUC 1020 Career Survival | 1 | ILO 5 |
| Total Credits by Term | 13 | |
| Total Credits for Degree | 63 |
| Year 1- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● EDUC 1010 Student Success Strategies | 2 | ILO 5 |
| ● ENGL 1010 English Composition I | 3 | ILO 2 |
| ● NASP 1010 Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 | Core |
| Total Credits by Term | 8 | |
| Year 1- Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● NASP 1040 Nat Am History since 1890 | 3 | ILO 1 |
| ● INFO 1010 Intro to Computers | 3 | ILO 4 |
| HLTH 1045 Archery/Hunting Safety | 1 | ILO 5 |
| Total Credits by Term | 7 | |
| Year 1- Summer Term | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● Native Language Level I (NASP 1410 or 1510) | 4 | ILO 1 |
| Total Credits by Term | 4 | |
| Year 2- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● NASP 1030 Nat Am History to 1890 | 3 | Core |
| ● ENGL 1020 English Composition II | 3 | ILO 2 |
| Total Credits by Term | 6 | |
| Year 2- Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ENGl 1040 Creative Writing | 3 | ILO 5 |
| ● Native Language Level II (NASP 1420 or 1520) or additional level I | 4 | Core |
| Total Credits by Term | 7 | |
| Year 2- Summer Term | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics | 3 | Core |
| Total Credits by Term | 3 | |
| Year 3- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● NASP 2200 Santee Dakota Tribal History, NASP 2210 Omaha Tribal History, or NASP 2220 Ponca Tribal History | 3 | Core |
| BIO 1010 General Biology & General Biology Lab | 4 | ILO 3 |
| Total Credits by Term | 7 | |
| Year 3- Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ●NASP 2230 Dakota Culture and Tradition or NASP 2240 Omaha Culture and Tradition | 3 | Core |
| NASP 1080 Native American Education | 3 | ILO 3 |
| Total Credits by Term | 6 | |
| Year 3- Summer Term | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● SPCH 1110 Public Speaking | 3 | ILO 2 |
| Total Credits by Term | 3 | |
| Year 4- Fall Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● MATH 1110 Intermediate Algebra | 4 | ILO 3 |
| NASP 2300 Tribal Government & Politics | 3 | ILO 4 |
| Total Credits by Term | 7 | |
| Year 4 - Spring Semester | Credits | Gen Ed/ Core |
| ● NASP 2110 Native American Literature, NASP 2120 Oral History in Tribal Tradition or NASP 2900 Special Topics | 3 | Core |
| ● EDUC 1020 Career Survival | 1 | ILO 5 |
| Total Credits by Term | 4 | |
| Total Credits for Degree | 62 |
Career Pathways
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2023)
- 21-0000 Community and Social Service Occupations
- 23-0000 Legal Occupations
- 25-0000 Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- 27-0000 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- 39-0000 Personal Care and Service Occupations
- 43-0000 Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- 45-0000 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Internships and Job Shadowing Opportunities
- NICC Language Apprentice Internship
- NICC Archives Internship
Articulation Agreements
Faculty in the Division
|
Last Name |
First Name |
Role |
|
Native American Studies Division Head |
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|
FT Native Studies Faculty |
||
| Saunsoci | Andre | FT Omaha Language Instructor |
| Gordon | Dr. Binah | Omaha Language Curriculum Specialist |
| Whipple | Janelle | FT Business Faculty |
| Bird | Joey | Adjunct Faculty |
| Flowers | Misty | Adjunct Faculty |
| Garcia | Maria | Adjunct Faculty |
| Goodbird Saunsoci | Jamie | Adjunct Faculty |
| Grajales Geliga | Dr. Susana | Adjunct Faculty |
| Murie | Kim | Adjunct Faculty |
| Menard | Nicole "Nikki" | Adjunct Faculty |
| Provost | Patty | Adjunct Faculty |
| Pratt, Jr. | Warren | Adjunct Faculty |
| Ross | Crystal | Adjunct Faculty |
| Saunsoci | Arlington | Adjunct Faculty |
| Stabler | Vida | Adjunct Faculty |
| Swalley | Lizzie | Adjunct Faculty |
| Tyndall | Karen | Adjunct Faculty |
| Widow | Doug | Adjunct Faculty |
Testimonials
Carlton Edwards, MA (Umonhon) - Native American Studies Division Head
“Even if you don’t realize it, you’re a role model for the younger generations like your children, your grandchildren, and your great grandchildren. We are never too old to learn.”
Lani Moran Samqua ‘Ma The’ (Umo n ho n / Rosebud Sioux) - NICC Alumni and NICC Archiving Assistant
“Our language is our culture. That’s where you get your worldview. That’s where you get your identity. Now I’ve made it my lifetime goal to become an Umo n ho n language teacher.”
Vanessa Hamilton, B.S. (Umo n ho n ) - NICC Alumni and NICC Extension Coordinator
"What you're going to do is learn about both your traditional culture, how cultures change, how they remain vibrant within a tribe... Language and culture go together."
Wynema Morris, M.A. (Umonhon) - NICC Native American Studies Faculty