Native American honors heritage by encouraging new success in academics
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MOUNT PLEASANT — Lucas Sprague enrolled in a single class to start his academic journey.
Now, Sprague, a Council Member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, is on his way to earning a master’s degree. Sprague honors his own achievements on behalf of his immediate family members and his ancestors.
As a graduate student at Central Michigan University, Sprague aims to mentor those who will follow his footsteps. He is a role model to many Native Americans in the mid-Michigan area and will earn a master’s degree from CMU in May after earning a bachelor’s degree there in 2020.
Students will do research, work alongside faculty mentors, and immerse themselves in their subject, allowing them to graduate with the knowledge, experience and confidence to lead. More information on the program can be found here: www.cmich.edu/program/master-of-science-administration
Central Michigan University also has the Office of Native American Programs, which exists in part because of the long-standing relationship between CMU and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Contact information for the programs, can be found here: www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/native-american-programs.
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College is a grant institution that reflects and promotes the unique culture of the Anishinaabek Community. It is located on tribal-controlled land at 2274 Enterprise Drive in Mount Pleasant.
Students of the college are younger than in previous years. In 2019, more than half of the student population was between the ages of 18 to 34 years.
For enrollment opportunities, visit www.sagchip.edu/contact_us.
Sprague said his father died in April and that motivated him to complete his studies.
“(I am) making my parents proud,” he said. “He (my father) watched me start this program and both parents have been huge supporters of mine.”
A nontraditional student, Sprague is achieving academic success at age 35. His commitment to collegiate studies began with a placement test. Afterward, he enrolled in the English 099 course at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal College.
“I was just trying out one class to see if I can even pass a course,” Sprague said. “I never thought I would be getting a master’s degree someday.”
Sprague, who has three children, sacrificed quality time with his family to reach his academic goals. But inwardly, he found the strength to continue.
“I had to learn how to dig deep in those moments where I didn’t think I had anything left in the tank,” he said. “I sacrificed evenings, nights and weekends, knowing that there’s an end goal.”
He graduated with an associate’s degree in 2017 from the tribal college, to which he credits the growth of his learning skills. Sprague spoke to an outgoing class during the spring graduation ceremony and an incoming class this fall.
After earning his associate’s degree, he used creative talents, developed through multiple art classes, to design the annual powwow T-shirt for the Anishinaabek community.
Today, while loaded with coursework, he still finds time to encourage aspiring students. In fact, it was the university’s partnership with the tribe that inspired Sprague to enroll as a student at CMU.
“They (other tribal members) can make it to this level as well,” Sprague said. “I wanted to strengthen that relationship and also encourage our own community members that they could make it to that level as well.”
After achieving his initial academic goals, Sprague hopes to continue his willingness to try new opportunities.
“The way I did it was, I looked at the long term,” Sprague said.
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