SCC is affiliated with the Chippewa Cree Tribe and located on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in north central Montana; it is one of seven Tribal Colleges in Montana.

[2] SCC was chartered by the Chippewa-Cree Business Committee on May 17, 1984.

[5] SCC is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), which is a community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

SCC was created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians.

SCC generally serves geographically isolated populations that have no other means accessing education beyond the high school level.