MEET BCC'S PRESIDENT

My name is John E. Salois.  I am an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, and currently hold the position of President of Blackfeet Community College.  I was born in San Jose, California on October 6, 1964.  My family moved back and forth between California and Browning, Montana due to my father’s work in construction until 1972.  We moved back to Browning when I was in the 5 th grade and it has been my home since then.  My father is Charles Salois (deceased) and my mother is Shirley (Sellars) Salois.  I have one brother, Shawn Salois (deceased), and two sisters, Carmel Salois and Staci Tallbull.  I am a single parent with three daughters; Jessica whom is 14 years old, Jonnie whom is 11, and Raven whom is 7.     I graduated from Browning High School in 1982.  I knew at that time that I wanted to go into the field of education, but I did not enter into college right away.  I spent several years working in the Browning area at a variety of jobs including carpentry, cooking, seismographic oil exploration, and working as a substitute teacher.  I made the decision in 1987 to join the military for the purpose of earning money for college.  I spent four years in the U.S. Army as a Track Vehicle Mechanic, and received an honorable discharge.  While in the army I got married and started my family, so I went to work as a carpenter after I left the army so I could support my family.  I did not forget my dream though and in the fall of 1993 I enrolled in the University of Montana, Missoula.  I earned my BA in History, with a secondary teaching endorsement, in 1998.  At that time there were not any teaching positions available in the Browning School District in my subject area.  I was offered a teaching position at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana and I accepted.  I worked at St. Labre for seven years.  During my first year at St. Labre I taught American Government, Native American Studies, and Study Skills.  At the end of that year the high school principal resigned, and I was asked to assume the position.  I worked for the next two years as a teacher half time, and principal half time.  I also had the duties of Native American Club advisor, acting Activities Director, and tennis coach. I worked full time as principal from August of 2001 to May of 2005.  I earned my M. Ed. from the University of Montana in Educational Leadership in 2003.