Beginning in 1985, Mesabi Community College began holding classes at the Tribal Ojibwe School on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation.

Following a feasibility study of higher education needs of the American Indian and non-Indian people in Carlton County area, recommendation was made for a joint venture between the Fond du Lac tribal government and the Arrowhead Community College Region (ACCR).

[2] The following year, the Minnesota Community College Board fully funded FDLTCC and the institution became independent from ACCR.

The 22-minute movie won silver in the Special Video Production category at the national 2013 Collegiate Advertising Awards.

WINHEC accreditation performs a number of important functions including the validation of credibility on the part of the public being served and encouragement of efforts toward maximum educational effectiveness.

The college fielded teams in basketball and volleyball, however discontiuned all athletics after the 2023 school year due to low participation, attendance, and budget constraints.