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Northwest Indian College Is A Tribally Controlled College chartered by the Lummi Nation.

Its primary goal is to serve the educational and training needs of Pacific Northwest Tribes and their people.

NWIC’s name in the Lummi language, XWLEMI ELH>TAL>NEXW SQUL (the people’s education), is the basis for the college’s mission, which states: Through education, Northwest Indian College promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge. Its main campus is located on the Lummi Reservation near Bellingham, Washington, with extended campus sites situated on reservations throughout Washington and Idaho.

Coast Salish Institute

Northwest Indian College enhances the living values of tribal communities and brings traditional ways into living contact with contemporary society. The Coast Salish Institute preserves and revitalizes Coast Salish culture, while honoring individual Native cultures, languages, history and traditions. The Institute is a model for tribal teaching and research and will serve as the heart of NWIC’s Native Studies Degree Program. The Institute’s research focuses on the preservation of Native languages, sacred site identification, cultural mapping, family history and genealogy work, and the examination of how traditional ways of life have been influenced by treaty rights, sovereignty, federalism, colonialism, self-determination, and self-governance.

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Strategic Plan Core Themes

NWIC Strategic Plan (2017-2024)

Mission:

Through education, Northwest Indian College promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge.

Guided by our vision and core beliefs and values, mission fulfillment is when a student has attained the academic and cultural knowledge, skills, and values to positively impact tribal communities.

Vision: 
Our vision reaffirms our commitment to our students and to the Tribes we serve and advances tribal sovereignty for the protection of our homelands and future generations.

Beliefs & Values:

  1. Sәla-exʷ: Our strength comes from the old people. From them we receive our teachings and knowledge and the advice we need for our daily lives.
  2. Schtәngәxʷәn: We are responsible to protect our territory. This means we take care of our land and water and everything that is on it and in it.
  3. Xwlәmi-chosәn: Our culture is our language. We should strengthen and maintain our language.
  4. Leng-e-sot: We take care of ourselves, watch out for ourselves and love and take care of one another.
  5. Xaalh: Life balance/sacred.
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Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire and President Justin Guillory at Commencement

Mission Objectives

Core Theme 1:
Engage Indigenous Knowledge

Core Theme 2:
Commitment to Student Success

Core Theme 3:
Access to Higher Education Opportunities at All Levels for Tribal Communities

Core Theme 4:
Advance Place-Based Community Education and Outreach

NWIC Extended Campus Locations

Northwest Indian College‘s main campus is located at the Lummi Nation. The College also has six full service extended campus sites located at Muckleshoot, Nez Perce, Nisqually, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Swinomish, and Tulalip. Please use the location links to view details for each extended campus site.

Financial Aid

Northwest Indian College administers a broad range of financial aid, scholarships, and work-study programs for students who can demonstrate financial need.

Student Life

NWIC students are encouraged to engage and integrate into the life of the institution. Students are offered opportunities to participate in enrichment activities through Student Affairs, student government, and residence life.

Build Your Future.

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