Blackfeet Community College is a public two-year tribally-controlled community college located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, with an average student enrollment of 650 annually. Browning serves as the center for trade and cultural activities with a population of approximately 8,000.
Blackfeet Community College lies on the southeastern edge of the town of Browning, directly off US Highways 2 & 89. Browning is the head quarters of the Blackfeet Tribal Offices, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, and Public School District # 9.
The college campus houses thirteen buildings. The Beaver Painted Lodge holds the Administration, Bookstore, Business Office, Student Services and the Academic Affairs office. Other buildings include; Medicine Springs Library; RSI/Media Center; Higher Education building; Technology building; Vocational Education; Red Fox Building; Public School District #9 Academy; Maintenance Shop; Greenhouse; Science Building, and the new Math/Science LEED-PLATINUM certified building.
The name AHM SKA TOS PO II KOH KAN or South Wind Lodge was given its name on December 15, 2010 at the grand opening of the building. Designed to incorporate the history and culture of the Blackfeet, the high performance building will capture the sun, convert it to energy, and sell the amount not consumed by the building back to the power company. Even before the installation of the energy-generating photovoltaic system on the roof, the building uses 60% less than a conventional math/science building of the same size. It was oriented on the site to block the prevailing winds during the winter and capture as much sun as possible. Window shades block high summer suns and operable windows allow occupants to choose the amount of fresh air to make oneself comfortable in the classrooms and offices. Laboratories are state-of-the art for teaching and research projects using energy efficient fume hoods and water saving fixtures.
The project earned its LEED-Platinum rating (the highest in LEED 2.2 version) through the commitment of the owner, the expertise of the design team, the diligence of the contractor, and the documentation of the LEED Accredited Professionals. Supporting research by the energy modeler and daylighting experts and the final checks, balances, and training by the commissioning agent all led to earning the 53 LEED points (out of a possible 69). AHM SAK TOS PO II KOH KAN is the first LEED building on tribal land in the USA to earn LEED-Platinum.
The building is almost 12,000 square feet on a site of approximately 142,000 square feet, most of which will be allowed to return to its native condition. New parking was not provided as part of this project.
