Swift Eagle claims Indian accreditation is superior to Regional

On the website of his International Theological University, His Excellency the Reverend Chancellor Doctor Chief Swift Eagle Justice is now claiming that not only can Indians operate universities, but that (pardon his shouting)

"THE RECOGNITION OF THE AUTHORITY OF EACH TRIBE TO OPERATE THEIR OWN UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IS SUPERIOR TO RECOGNITION OF THE REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS HAS GREATER AUTHORITY THAN THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. United States Code
TITLE 25 - INDIANS
CHAPTER 14 - MISCELLANEOUS
SUBCHAPTER II - INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE Sec. 450."

One can read that section of the US Code at:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/25/450.html

I haven't found that quote. Could it be that Swifty is just funning us again?

 

So that's why the Ph.D. from International Theological University hasn't been recognized by even one RA seminary. Its not that the degree is inferior to RA---its superior. Those RA guys have never wanted to admit something could be better, huh?

 

Assuming that Indian tribes have the legal right to operate universities, that conceivably might suggest that tribes have the right to circumvent state licensing laws. That would basically be the same immunity that churches already have due to state religious exemptions.

So all Mr. Eagle seems to really be talking about here is the argument that there are (or should be) state Indian exemptions alongside state religious exemptions.

(Actually, I believe that there is already a body of law pertaining to tribal colleges and universities, though I've never bothered to research it.)

How this stuff would apply to Mr. Eagle's operations, since he doesn't seem to personally be a recognized tribe despite his affecting the title "Chief", is a mystery.

I have no idea what any of this has to do with accreditation or with Congress being more powerful than the Department of Education.

The gentleman is an Indian Chief, a Russian Academician and a certified Cosmonaut. Would he do that?

 

Do any tribes actually run colleges or universities? If so, do any offer DL?

 

The Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma used to operate a school called Flaming Rainbow University (great name, eh?) but it was closed in the early 90's.

 

Here's a list of 34 of them:

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/TribalColleges/tclist.html

I don't know about DL, but I'd guess the answer is 'yes', since some of these schools serve geograpically dispersed populations.

 

Oglala Lakota College.
Sinte Gleska University.

 

Were the tribes to form an accrediting body to accredit their schools, could they, by treaty, force the Department of Education to recognize it?

In my humble legal opinion, maybe.

 

I assume that the reference to the US Code wasn't meant to indicate that those words were part of a quote but rather, Mr. Eagle felt it was justification for his own words. On the other hand, anyone calling themself "His Excellency the Reverend Chancellor Doctor Chief Swift Eagle Justice" must have a great sense of humor!

 

Does this mean that someone could have a worthless degree for as long as the rivers flow.

Having the constitutional right to operate a school hasn't done anything for any school's acceptance.

To gain acceptance, religious schools always almost always end up seeking accreditation.

If someone wants to start an unaccredited school, there are still many states who will grant a license almost unconditionally, so what's the deal?

 

It seems that Jesus of the Forest Catholic University doesn't require RA according to their web site.


http://www.education-1.net/jfcu.htm

 

Wouldn't getting regional accreditation be cheaper than paying dues to 100 different organizations that sound like accreditors?

 

Strange that the first thing legitimate native colleges do when they are started is to apply for regional accreditation.

 

Thanks, Bill! I figured there were first nations colleges, but was unsure where to look.

 

uncle janko: Do any tribes actually run colleges or universities? If so, do any offer DL?

John: There are dozens, but the only one (I think) not on a reservation is D-Q University, near Sacramento. They now say that it is forbidden to use the actual words that the "D" and "Q" stand for, but when it was established 20+ years ago, they used the actual words. Does anyone but me (and, presumably after 9 seconds of research, Gus Sainz) know what they are?

Also (I don't know the answer to this one), are there any other junior colleges that are called "University"?

Jeff Hampton: The Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma used to operate a school called Flaming Rainbow University (great name, eh?) but it was closed in the early 90's.

John: One of my all-time favorite names. But to be clear, it closed voluntarily (money problems, I recall); it was not closed for punitive reasons.

 

I now see that the official California parks site explains what the D and Q are. But I won't say it. Let them get the bad juju.
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5Views/5views1h18.htm

 

Also (I don't know the answer to this one), are there any other junior colleges that are called "University"?

Vincennes University
http://www.vinu.edu/