Comanche Nation announces shutdown of tribal college after 15 years

Monday, July 24, 2017  

The first tribal college in Oklahoma is shutting down at the end of the month.

Leaders of the Comanche Nation announced the closure of the Comanche Nation College last week. In a notice posted on Facebook, Chairman William Nelson said no employees are being fired because the tribe plans to continue using the building for educational purposes.

According to news reports, the closure wasn't unexpected. Tribal leaders removed the college's funding from their budget in April, KWSO reported, amid concerns about a lack of accreditation.

But that doesn't make it any easier for tribal citizens, including past graduates. They said the closure will hurt future generations of students.

"You are taking away their ability to learn about native culture and religion and and values that come with it," Chelsea Yackeyonny, who graduated from the college last year, told KWSO.

The college opened in 2002 but it never secured accreditation. The process can be slow-moving.

Read More on the Story:
Tribe closing college (The Lawton Constitution 7/21)
Comanche Nation College closing its doors after 15 years (KSWO 7/21)
Comanche Nation College Closing (Newson6 7/22)