The First Hydrology (Geoscience) Degree at a Tribal College or University: Salish Kootenai College

A new Hydrology Degree Program was developed at Salish and Kootenai College in western Montana. This program will begin to address the fact that our nation only awards 20 to 30 Geoscience degrees annually to Native American students. Previously absent from SKC and the other 36 Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCU) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related programs are specific Geoscience disciplines, particularly those focusing on hydrological and water based sciences. Though 23 TCU’s offer some classes to supplement their environmental science or natural resource programs. This program is timely and essential for addressing the concerns that Native Americans have who maintain sovereignty over approximately 20% of our nation’s fresh water resources which are becoming more stressed each year. The overall objective of this new SKC Hydrology degree program is to produce students who are able to “give voice” to the perspectives of Native peoples on natural resources and particularly water-related issues, including water rights, agriculture, environmental health (related to water), beliefs and spirituality related to water, and sustainability of water resources. It will provide the opportunity for interdisciplinary study in physical, chemical, and biological water resources and their management. Students will gain theoretical, conceptual, computational, and practical knowledge/experiences in quantifying, monitoring, qualifying, and managing today’s water resource challenges with particular emphasis on Tribal lands. Completion of the Associate of Science Degree will provide the student with the necessary skills to work as a hydrology- water quality- or geo-technician within the Reservation area, the U. S. Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Society, and other earth science disciplines. The Bachelor’s Degree program provides students with a broad-based theoretical and technological understanding of environmental and physical sciences and prepares students to design and direct research and programs related to water resources. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science Degree program are prepared to continue their education in graduate school or obtain employment as managers or directors of programs in industry, consulting, local, state, federal and tribal programs. Graduates will find that due to sovereignty issues, most tribes either have in place or are seeking trained professionals to monitor, manage, and protect their respective water resources. Hydrology and Geoscience job openings are expected to continue to exceed the number of qualified jobseekers through the 2018 projection period. And, nationally, 1 in 4 geoscientist positions are employed as hydrologists (30% engineering related services, 30 % Government, and 20% management and technical consulting). The mission of SKC is to provide quality postsecondary educational opportunities for Native Americans, locally and from throughout the United States, and defines cultural understanding as: "The awareness of your own system of values, beliefs, traditions and history, and knowledge and respect for the systems of others, particularly those of American Indian Tribes, and specifically the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai People".