Coeur d’Alene Tribe and North Idaho College
October, 2018
Agreement Overview
In 1997 North Idaho College signed the “9 Point Agreement” with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The purpose of the agreement was to work together on projects of mutual benefit to both communities, and to make NIC a more welcoming and supportive environment for Indian students. The plan consisted of 9 points, each led by team leaders from North Idaho College. The 18 team leaders worked intimately with the Tribe on direction for the mutually determined goals of each point.
In October 2018, the 9 Point Agreement Committee revisited each point to assure that it was current and pertinent. By so doing, the 9 Point Agreement evolved into a new, revitalized document consisting of new wording, goals and action items.
Point One
ORIGINAL: Expand collection about Native Americans with particular emphasis given to literature written by Native Americans of the Northwest.
REVISED: Provide resources so that the NIC Molstead Library has the most expansive Native American collection in the region.
Goal #1: Continue to expand the collection including digital resources.
Goal #2: Promote the collection to local and regional entities.
Goal #3: Reference students to the collection.
Goal #4: Make NIC “the Library” for the Tribe’s historical documents.
Point Two
ORIGINAL: Construct a "Longhouse" on the NIC campus to provide:
- Office space for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe education staff and minority advisor from NIC Student Services
- Space for testing and mentoring minority students
- An American Indian Resource Center to promote an awareness of Coeur d'Alene tribal history that could also be used for a study area and group meetings.
REVISED : Represent the Coeur d’Alene tribe through architecture and the eventual building of a cultural center.
Goal #1: Infuse Native American architecture into new buildings and remodels on the NIC campus.
Goal #2: Keep at the forefront of NIC master planning the concept of a cultural center to be a gathering place for students and the community.
Goal #3: Ensure that there is space for two classrooms in the center.
Point Three
ORIGINAL: Name NIC buildings, streets, classrooms and special places on campus in recognition of important Coeur d'Alene tribal leaders or cultural happenings.
REVISED: Represent the Coeur d’Alene tribe by naming buildings, streets, and gathering places with both an English name and a Coeur d’Alene name.
Goal #1: Provide dual names for all facilities on campus.
Goal #2: Create “Welcome to NIC” signs at entrances in both English and Coeur d’Alene languages.
Goal #3: Display Coeur d’Alene tribal flags at campus entrance and at Edminster Student Union Building.
Goal #4: All new buildings will use the Coeur d’Alene tribal name.
Point Four
ORIGINAL: Coeur d'Alene Tribal Awareness Week to be celebrated with an event or series of events that could include a tribal powwow.
REVISED: Raise awareness of historical and current issues as they pertain to native peoples, including issues surrounding economics, politics, culture, etc.
Goal #1: Facilitate a week of celebration, or “Heritage Week”.
Goal #2: Present a series of educational/cultural events.
Goal #3: Coordinate the dissemination of information on all community cultural events.
Point Five
ORIGINAL: Present throughout the campus either through paintings or sculpture the history of the Coeur d'Alene tribe.
REVISED: Present the history of the Coeur d'Alene tribe throughout the campus.
Goal #1: Create a “Story Tour” to encompass the campus.
Goal #2: Propose a location and design for a historical mural.
Point Six
ORIGINAL: Utilize the resources of the college to better serve the members of the Coeur d'Alene tribe.
REVISED: Promote tribal student success.
Goal #1: Develop a retention and completion pathway for tribal students utilizing the five pillars.
Goal #2: Establish a physical location that acts as a sense of “place” for tribal students.
Point Seven
ORIGINAL: Set up recruitment nights for prospective tribal students and their families.
REVISED: Continue to support the recruitment of native peoples.
Goal #1: Develop an annual recruitment plan for tribal students.
Goal #2: Host campus events targeted at tribal students and families.
Point Eight
ORIGINAL: Create an American Indian Studies program to include the study of the Coeur d'Alene Indian language.
REVISED: Maintain an active and current American Indian Studies Program.
Goal #1: Market programs and classes as broadly as possible.
Goal #2: Develop new courses in conjunction with needs as expressed by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
Point Nine
ORIGINAL: Apply distance learning techniques to the delivery of educational programs and services to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
REVISED: Support all aspects of distance learning in the delivery of educational programs to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Goal #1: Promote the use of IVC and Internet classes on the reservation.
Goal #2: Attempt to provide in-person, local classes whenever possible.
Goal #3: Expand dual credit opportunities for tribal students.