Penny Denny. Photo by Josh Brown

Stone Child Community College (Montana) Our college is young. It is just beginning to develop as a place of higher learning. At this time, the college is a place of hope for many. I think if we had a center for all of the students to gather it would help the growth of the college. I know from visiting with students at other tribal colleges that this is a common problem. Most of the schools are scrambling just to find enough space for classes.

To some a student center or common area might sound frivolous. However, it is essential to the long-term growth of our school. At my home, people come together in the kitchen. Even if there is more room elsewhere, everyone ends up in the kitchen. It is comfortable. People relax in a kitchen. I don’t know why. I guess it gives them a common bond. They can make a connection in the kitchen to their past and to one another.

I think kitchens are like a student center for the college. It would be a place to exchange ideas, visit with friends, look at the future, and share the journey of college. I think it would be wonderful if every tribal college were able to build a student center that the students would design. I know this is only a dream. But dreams can become realities.