JOKING ADVOCATE. Phillip John Young loves to joke with students and administrators, such as Finance Manager Chelly Merkel. But he is always an advocate for education. Photo by Stuart Young

When Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC, Fort Totten, ND) Regent Phillip John Young calls the college, he begins by saying, “Hello, this is your hero calling.” His sense of humor can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Young is always joking and telling stories, but he is always engaged in the business of the college – in a good way.

A strong advocate for education, Young has a clear vision for his people. He believes that the community must work together and be committed to education. Young believes that education never ends. “You can learn something every day at any age,” he says.

In October 2005, the North Dakota Indian Education Association presented Young with the Community Service Award. The award recognized Young’s advocacy and support of education for the people of Spirit Lake Nation for many years.

Young attends many college activities and especially those for the students. Frequently, Young is asked to speak. Last fall, he assisted in recruiting 10 new students for CCCC. He was not asked to do this, he just did it. Often, Young will walk around the campus and talk to the faculty and staff, asking questions and offering ideas and suggestions to make learning enjoyable.

A Dakota speaker and an elder of the Spirit Lake Nation, Young has been on the CCCC Board of Regents off and on for about 15 years. His last appointment began in 2002. As a board member, he has been active in overseeing the accreditation review process for CCCC during the past two years. In 2005, CCCC was granted 10-year accreditation and removed from probation.

Young has five children and “10 or so grandchildren” (his words). His parents were Mercie Jerome Nelson and Martin Young, who was a World War II veteran. Mrs. Nelson was one of the founding educators for the Spirit Lake community, teaching culture, language, and history.

His sister, Marcie McKay, was in the first graduating class of CCCC in 1977. She passed away two years ago. To honor and remember her, Young organized his relatives to establish the Marcie McKay Scholarship at CCCC. Each semester one student is selected and presented with a cash award to encourage her/his continued success in education.

Young works at the tribal wellness center where he is a role model, successfully managing his own diabetes. He has been off medication for over four years. He encourages everyone to try to live healthier lives. Asked about his secret for dealing with diabetes, he responds with his trademark humor: “Budweiser and young women….keep me young and hopeful. Plus singing some damn good Indian songs.”

Young did not complete high school, due to the tuberculosis epidemic on the reservation. After earning his GED, he graduated from CCCC. He only needs a couple of courses for his bachelor’s degree. He is a dedicated life-long learner and educator.

Young is a special person who has “given back” to his community and to the college. To us, he really is a hero.

Cynthia Lindquist Mala has been president of CCCC since October 2003. A member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Tribe, she earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota.