FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kayla Duane, kayla.duane@rlnc.edu, 218-766-4553
May 15, 2024 Minneapolis, Minnesota—Red Lake Nation College (RLNC) proudly announces the grand opening of its Minneapolis Site, marking a historic moment as the first tribal college and university (TCU) to establish a presence in a major U.S. city. Located at the forefront of downtown Minneapolis, RLNC’s expansion aims to fill a crucial void in higher education by offering culturally grounded, affordable, and accredited education to Native American communities residing in urban settings.
According to Minnesota Compass, 44.2% of Minnesota’s American Indian population resides in the Twin Cities, yet until now, there was no TCU (Tribal College & University) in the cities that provided culturally based higher education. RLNC seeks to address this disparity by bringing its mission of providing excellent higher education grounded in Ojibwe language and culture to students in the heart of Minneapolis.
“Our grand opening represents a significant step towards providing accessible education to Native American communities living in urban areas,” said Dan King, President of Red Lake Nation College. “By establishing our Minneapolis location, we are pioneering a new era of tribal college presence in major metropolitan centers, offering globally relevant courses steeped in Ojibwe culture to prepare students for success in the modern job market.”
RLNC, an accredited two-year tribal college located on the shores of Red Lake in Northern Minnesota, has already begun delivering courses through distance education to downtown Minneapolis students since Fall 2021. The new site, which was completed in the spring of 2024, will provide state-of-the-art facilities and services to support student success.
As a TCU in the Twin Cities, RLNC serves a unique market niche in higher education, focusing on Native communities while welcoming students of all tribal backgrounds through its open-enrollment policy. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and ensures rigorous academic standards and quality education delivery.
To celebrate its grand opening, RLNC is hosting a ceremony on Thursday, June 6th, 2024, from 2pm to 4pm, followed by music and social activities from 3pm to 6pm at 900 S. 3rd St. Minneapolis, MN, 55415. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the courses of study offered, career opportunities for graduates, and hear from Dan King, a prominent business leader and a Hereditary Chief of the Red Lake Nation, about his vision for the college and the services it offers.
For more information about Red Lake Nation College and to apply, visit rlnc.edu.
About Red Lake Nation College—Red Lake Nation College (RLNC) was established in 2001 to serve the Red Lake Nation in Red Lake, Minnesota. In June 2024, RLNC is opening its second site, the first-ever urban tribal college site, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Red Lake Nation College offers a range of certificate and academic degree programs designed to empower students and strengthen the Red Lake Nation community in a higher education environment that honors students’ Indigenous identities.
Photos: The new Red Lake Nation College campus at 900 S. 3rd Street in Minneapolis, Minn.
