Dixie Dorman. Photo by Dana Grant

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (Minnesota). I think it would be great if AIHEC were able to guarantee child care services at every tribal college. Where I attend school, we are fortunate enough to have childcare support. However, I know that many schools either have no type of childcare or their programs are very limited.

This is a problem that will not go away. Many young parents would like to go to college but are unable to because of the cost of off-campus childcare. Even though some financial support is available, it often doesn’t meet the full need. Affordable childcare just makes good sense. If the schools want to grow and attract more students, they have to look at the needs of those students, including adequate space for childcare services. A majority of tribal college students have families.

Furthermore, a tribal college daycare can be an important link to the future. Children going to a facility in the college environment can’t help but be positively influenced. Imagine these children seeing their parents and others going to college on a daily basis! The message will be clear – education is important.