Twenty-Nine Palms tribe pledges nearly $6 million over three years to tribal college

Staff reports
·2 min read
Students sit together in a classroom pre-coronavirus.
Students sit together in a classroom pre-coronavirus.

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians announced this week that it will commit nearly $6 million over the next three years to California Indian Nations College, a two-year tribal college in Palm Desert.

The latest pledge brings the tribe's total donation amount in supporting the college to more than $9 million. Twenty-Nine Palms chartered California Indian Nations in September 2017 and provided seed money the following year to fund its first wave of staff members. As of last year, the college had grown to serve roughly 180 students, with about 70% continuing their education by transferring to other universities.

“We believe that education is the foundation for success in life," tribal chairman Darrell Mike said. "CINC offers a springboard for Native and non-Native students pursuing opportunities that can be best achieved with a college degree and the knowledge that comes with it."

Darrell Mike, chairman of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, poses for a photo in Spotlight 29 Casino in February 2022.
Darrell Mike, chairman of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, poses for a photo in Spotlight 29 Casino in February 2022.

California Indian Nations is aiming to become the only standalone, fully accredited tribal college in California, a gap that has existed for two decades. Administrators hope the college will achieve candidacy for accreditation, an involved process that can take years, in 2023.

In the meantime, the institution is partnering with College of the Desert for accreditation, and offering similar courses and degrees. Classes were held at the University of California, Riverside's extension campus in Palm Desert before moving online during the pandemic.

The national college enrollment rate for American Indians or Alaska Natives in 2019 was 24%, compared to 62% for Asian young adults and 41% for white young adults, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Students at California Indian Nations College prepare to take a class at UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus in September 2019.
Students at California Indian Nations College prepare to take a class at UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus in September 2019.

California Indian Nations is hoping to be part of the solution to that disparity.

"We want to address underserved Native Americans and those who could really take this and run with it," President Celeste Townsend said in 2020. "And I think us becoming that model is huge."

Other local tribes have also donated to the college and its mission; the Morongo Band of Mission Indians donated $100,000 last year.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Twenty-Nine Palms tribe pledges nearly $6 million to tribal college