Indian Colleges

WASHINGTON, D.C.--In an effort to stem the flow of young people from Indian reservations, a number of tribes have established their own colleges on reservation property and conflicts have arisen with the federal government over funding for these institutions.

These colleges are especially dependent on federal support because they lack both endowments and access to state tax revenues.

Leaders of the Indian college movement thought they had won a final victory in October, 1978, when Congress authorized $85 million to Indian-controlled institution over a three-year period.

However, none of the 21 established Indian colleges has received any of the money so far. After the legislation was passed, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) conducted a study that found only 11 institutions eligible for the funds, and the Office of Management and Budget refused to give money to any of these colleges because of delays in conducting a feasibility survey.

BIA spokesmen say they are now ready to conduct feasibility surveys and may be able to award grants by April.