Red Lake Nation College

Start with us!

Our top-of-the-line facilities in Red Lake and Minneapolis offer globally relevant courses combined with Ojibwe language and culture offering a unique combination of Native innovation and tradition that prepares students of all backgrounds for the twenty-first-century job market. Accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, allowing seamless transfer of our credits to further education in four-year, master’s, and doctorate programs. Red Lake Nation College is a great place to start!

Celebration of Ojibwe Heritage

Our main campus rests on the southern shores of Red Lake, Minnesota’s largest lake, and we recently opened a new site in Minneapolis, the first urban tribal college in the nation.  Our two-year tribal college represents educational opportunity and cultural preservation. We foster a vibrant learning environment that integrates the history of the Ojibwe language and culture with globally relevant courses intended to prepare students as they advance their education and prepare for the 21st-century job market.

At the heart of our mission is to provide excellent higher education that is grounded in the Ojibwe language and culture of Red Lake Nation. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on Ojibwe language, ensuring its survival for future generations. We examine Ojibwe culture, offering a comprehensive understanding of traditions, history, and art. We recognize the importance of preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving world. Our academic programs are crafted to integrate traditional teachings with modern, globally applicable coursework. By merging cultural heritage with forward-thinking education, we empower our students to navigate the world while providing a deep understanding and appreciation for Ojibwe and Indigenous heritage.

 

Graduate receiving diploma

President Chief Dan King presented a Red Lake Nation College graduate with their diploma on graduation.

Commitment to Excellence

Our commitment to excellence extends beyond Ojibwe preservation and language revitalization. The courses we offer are carefully selected to address the needs for further higher education and the demands of the 21st-century job market. Our students gain a well-rounded education from technology and business to history and the arts. By providing students with a diverse skill set, we aim to cultivate students who contribute meaningfully to their communities while thriving in the professional world.

Our two-year tribal college serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, preparing students for success on tribal, local, and global scales. Through this approach, equip individuals with the tools they need for careers and ensure the continued vibrancy of the Ojibwe culture for generations to come.

Welcome Letter From the President

Dan King

Miigwech (Thank you) for considering joining our Red Lake Nation College (RLNC) family.

Like many of our students, I was the first member in my family to ever attend college. As first-generation college students additional challenges, such as lack of higher education experience and lack of family role models who have attended college, must be faced. Therefore, many of our students lack the strong support systems many traditional college students take for granted. Our college staff and faculty step in and help by serving as the crucial support system for our students.

We go “above and beyond” in addressing these challenges by providing personalized attention to every student. If you decide to attend RLNC, you are treated like family, not a student number. We begin by assisting each student through the admissions process, then help them through the entire financial aid process as well.

RLNC’s individualized support continues as all students have access to FREE tutoring in Math, English, Science, or any RLNC class. The College also provides Success Mentors — staff, faculty, and board members who meet with students for lunch discussions to talk about challenges, encourage, and advise students on strategies to reach their educational and employment goals. We also provide each student with a “Tech Backpack” that consists of a backpack and a laptop with an internal hotspot so students have FREE mobile Internet for their entire time at RLNC.

The mission of Red Lake Nation College is to provide excellent higher education that is grounded in Ojibwe language and culture. We are striving to encourage a stronger sense of Native self-identity and self-confidence while teaching academic skills and practical life and career skills that prepare students for success in the 21st century.

Ultimately, we want to see our students move on to attain Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, or Professional Degrees and then return to our Native communities as qualified teachers, business managers, government leaders, doctors, nurses, lawyers or other professionals to lead our Tribal Nations to even greater prosperity.

To achieve this vision on a grander scale, our RLNC leadership and the Red Lake Tribal government invested in our new, $11.4M, Red Lake Main Campus that opened in August 2015, and a new $16.2M Minneapolis Site operating as a distance education hub for students that opened in June 2024. Our facilities provide a high-tech, 21st-century learning environment open to all students.

We are building an exciting future and we invite you to join Our Family — as a Red Lake Nation College student, team member, or donor. Miigwech again for your consideration!

Most Sincerely,

Dan King

President
Red Lake Nation College

Values

At RLNC, we use, follow, encourage, and support the 7 Ojibwe Values of:

Graduation

From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was welcomed by a vibrant community of dedicated educators, supportive staff, and diverse peers. The faculty at Red Lake Nation College demonstrated a genuine passion for their subjects and a commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity among students. The engaging and challenging coursework not only expanded my knowledge but also encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will undoubtedly serve me well in my future endeavors.

Jeff S, Design Student

I am delighted to express my sincere gratitude for the transformative experience I’ve had at Red Lake Nation College. The exceptional faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and vibrant campus community have not only enriched my academic journey but also fostered personal growth. RLNC has provided me with invaluable opportunities to engage in hands-on research, collaborate with passionate peers, and develop critical thinking skills that will undoubtedly shape my future. I am proud to be a part of this institution, and I am confident that the knowledge and experiences gained here will propel me towards success.

Heather M, Engineering Student

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