About Us
White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) was established on September 8, 1997 by the White Earth Tribal Council per Tribal Resolution #038-97-005. On October 7, 1997 in a two-room humble building in downtown Mahnomen, Minnesota the White Earth Tribal and Community College opened its doors to 40 tribal students. WETCC continued to grow over the years and as additional classes were added, various buildings in downtown Mahnomen were used to house classrooms.
Established as a not-for-profit tribally controlled educational institution of higher learning, the first Charter was approved on February 5, 1998 “…to provide adult education and post-secondary educational services to enrolled members of the White Earth Reservation and to other eligible Indians and non-Indian residents of the area…”
The first graduation was held on May 25, 2000, for students who completed certificate programs. Official non-profit 501(c)3 status was obtained in 2000 and by 2001 four-hundred and sixty-three students had already been enrolled in degree and certificate granting programs.
Initial Candidacy for Accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission was granted on October 14, 2004, with full accreditation granted on October 8, 2008. In 2010 Phase I construction was completed at 2250 College Road, the Drum Hall was added in 2012 and the location continued to grow through 2016 when construction phase III was completed and all students, faculty, and staff were finally located on one campus, greatly enhancing the ability of faculty and staff to serve students.
WETCC is governed by an independent Council of Trustees (COT) who abide by their approved Bylaws. The COT consists of 7 voting members and 2 non-voting members who represent the collective voice of the community as it translates needs and expectations into the policies of the College. The COT provides direction to the President of the College regarding policy, procedures, initiatives, expectations, reporting, data, and information. The COT approves the personnel management system including these policies, and functions as serves as a Council of Appeals on issues involving the equitable administration of policies and procedures. Decisions of the COT are final.
Mission - White Earth Tribal and Community College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to academic excellence grounded in Anishinaabe culture, values, and traditions.
Vision - Gidinwewininaan Gibimiwidoomin niigaanakeyaa – “We are carrying along into the future the way that we were given”
Purpose Statements:
Established as a not-for-profit tribally controlled educational institution of higher learning, the first Charter was approved on February 5, 1998 “…to provide adult education and post-secondary educational services to enrolled members of the White Earth Reservation and to other eligible Indians and non-Indian residents of the area…”
The first graduation was held on May 25, 2000, for students who completed certificate programs. Official non-profit 501(c)3 status was obtained in 2000 and by 2001 four-hundred and sixty-three students had already been enrolled in degree and certificate granting programs.
Initial Candidacy for Accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission was granted on October 14, 2004, with full accreditation granted on October 8, 2008. In 2010 Phase I construction was completed at 2250 College Road, the Drum Hall was added in 2012 and the location continued to grow through 2016 when construction phase III was completed and all students, faculty, and staff were finally located on one campus, greatly enhancing the ability of faculty and staff to serve students.
WETCC is governed by an independent Council of Trustees (COT) who abide by their approved Bylaws. The COT consists of 7 voting members and 2 non-voting members who represent the collective voice of the community as it translates needs and expectations into the policies of the College. The COT provides direction to the President of the College regarding policy, procedures, initiatives, expectations, reporting, data, and information. The COT approves the personnel management system including these policies, and functions as serves as a Council of Appeals on issues involving the equitable administration of policies and procedures. Decisions of the COT are final.
Mission - White Earth Tribal and Community College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to academic excellence grounded in Anishinaabe culture, values, and traditions.
Vision - Gidinwewininaan Gibimiwidoomin niigaanakeyaa – “We are carrying along into the future the way that we were given”
Purpose Statements:
- The college will present learning as a life-long process of discovery of knowledge embedded in the intellectual disciplines and the traditions of the Anishinaabe people.
- The college will support the self-determination of the Anishinaabe people through the preservation and promotion of their history, culture, and language.
- The college will seek to address eh social, political, and economic needs of the White Earth Reservation through programs that encourage service to the community.
- The college will promote a philosophy based on the seven teachings of the Anishinaabe.
