Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Phillip Longie (center) was awarded 2022 Employee of the Year at Cankdeska Cikana Community College. Longie has been employed as the program director for the Next Steps Program for 13 years at CCCC.
Louis Garcia (center) was awarded 2022 Faculty of the Year at Cankdeska Cikana Community College. Garcia has taught carpentry and Dakota Culture at CCCC for 25 years.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) is a public institution serving the Spirit Lake Tribal community in Benson County, North Dakota. CCCC is proud to note two individuals, who represents the caliber of faculty and staff members working at the College.
Louis Garcia recognized as 2022 CCCC Faculty Member of the Year
Louis Garcia has made the Spirit Lake community his home for 55 years along with his wife Hilda Garcia (Redfox), children and grandchildren residing in the Bde Can (Wood Lake) District.
During his early years Louis, a master carpenter, taught carpentry class at Lake Region State College, and Fort Berthold Community College. Louis also dedicated his time to visit with Spirit Lake elders to learn Dakota culture, language and history, earning the role as the Spirit Lake Tribe Historian.
Louis is the Author of "Grass Dance of the Spirit Lake Dakota" Book, and column writer for the Benson County Farmers press: "A message from Garcia: History and Culture of Spirit Lake Nation.
Louis has been an employee of Cankdeska Cikana Community College for the past 25 years, teaching carpentry and Dakota Culture. CCCC thanks Louis for his 25 years of dedicated service.
Phillip "Skip" Longie recognized as 2022 CCCC Employee of the Year
Phillip "Skip" Longie (Owe Wastena) 84 years young, born on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Oldest child of three and raised by his mother, Mary Jane Yankton.
Skip attended boarding school at Little Flower and Fort Totten. Later, Skip relocated to Chicago, Ill. where he worked for numerous years. When returning to North Dakota, Skip sought out to enhance his education. Skip graduated from NDSU in 1987.
Skip is a humble and honorable individual who has done some amazing things for the Spirit Lake community. Employed as the General Manager at Dakota Tribal Industries, he served as Spirit Lake Tribal Chairman (2), and most recently, Cankdeska Cikana Community College for the last 13 years. As the program director for the Next Steps Program, Skip made the program one of the most successful programs in the nation.
Skip is wonderful craftsman and is known for his pipe and regalia making. Father of seven and grandfather of many, Skip is truly loved and appreciated!!
Skip has been a blessing at Cankdeska Cikana Community College as he shares his wisdom and experience. It has been an honor and privilege to work with such a wonderful and humble individual.
As Faculty Member of the Year and Employee of the Year, each one receives a plaque, a cash award, and a star quilt.
