Northwest Indian College, on the Lummi Nation in Washington, is awarding its first four-year degrees this spring.

The degrees are in Native environmental sciences, a field that combines tribal knowledge with conventional environmental science. "We incorporate our cultural beliefs with all the science," graduating student Jessica Urbanec told The Bellingham Herald. "We have a direct link to the land because we have been here for generations."

The college plans to begin four-year programs in other areas, like human services, business, teacher education and Native American studies.

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NW Indian College to grant 1st 4-year degrees (The Bellingham Herald 2/17)