Si Tanka

A reader mentioned his frustration at the lack of commitment toward keeping Si Tanka's Huron campus open.  I can see why he is frustrated as I have said previously that in my opinion education and economic development are the two major keys to prosperity for South Dakota's Native Americans.  However, it appears the Huron University campus was hurting the ability of Si Tanka's other campus to retain the federal funding necessary for the it to operate.  According to today's Argus, schools are eligible  to receive a "$4,390 appropriation per student at tribal higher education institutions with more than 50 percent Native American enrollment."  Si Tanka was no longer able to qualify for this exception because of the number of non Native Americans who attended the Huron Campus.  Though I feel for the students and professors who are about to lose their school and their jobs the closure of the Huron campus may be able to prevent the total closure of Si Tanka which would be a huge blow to education for South Dakotas Native Americans.