History of Stone Child College
Stone Child College (SCC) is a tribally-controlled community college of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, offering programs of study that can lead to degrees and certificates.
SCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is listed in the Accredited Institutions of Higher Education (AIHEC) published by the American Council on Education for the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation.
SCC was chartered by the Chippewa Cree Business Committee on May 17, 1984. It was the feeling of tribal leaders that the establishment of a college was necessary for the preservation and maintenance of the Chippewa Cree culture, and for the educational training of its tribal membership. Post-secondary educational programs designed to meet the specific needs of the Chippewa Cree tribe is a great necessity. SCC is committed to meeting the needs of the community, tribal members, tribal programs, and is dedicated to helping promote pride in each tribal member’s Chippewa Cree heritage.
The new SCC campus is located seven miles east of Box Elder, Montana. Kennewash Hall was completed in 2003 and named in honor of Chief Kennewash, an original tribal member and early supporter of education who helped build the first school in Rocky Boy. Kennewash Hall houses eleven classrooms, ten faculty offices, and the Dean of Academics, Student Services Department and IT Department. All classrooms are equipped with computers that are networked together and have internet access.
Sitting Old Woman Center houses the Library, Business Office, Extension Office, NACTEP and Bookstore. Sitting Old Woman Center is located to the east of the main building and was completed in 2002. An addition to this building was completed in 2014, expanding the library and adding administrative offices to the upper level, including the President’s Office. This building was named in honor of SCC’s late President, Margaret “Peggy” Nagel, who journeyed to the spirit world in December of 1994. Her given Indian name was Sitting Old Woman. The name was given to her by Joe Roan of Hobbema, Canada, and is considered a name of great honor because the wisdom of the elders could be seen in her eyes, even though she was only a young girl.
SCC opened its Jon “Cubby” Morsette Vocational Center in Fall of 2006. This building was named after the late Jon Morsette. His construction company built the buildings on the new campus. Jon passed away on February 29, 2006 during construction of this building. The Jon Morsette Vocational Center houses the Fine Arts, Pre-Engineering Assistant and Construction Technology programs. This building has state-of-the-art engineering and construction technology equipment. The Fine Arts program captures traditional art forms and enhances them with technology. The SCC Wellness Center was completed in April of 2010.This facility holds the Little Bear Gymnasium, men’s and women’s locker rooms, two large classrooms and a kitchen. Health & Fitness, Physical Education and CNA courses are currently held in the gymnasium.
