Yellowquill College was founded by the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council in 1984 as a physical manifestation of the belief of “Indian Control of Indian Education”. Those visionary leaders saw that a better future was possible through a First Nation-owned and operated post-secondary institute. On October 1, 1984, the College opened in the newly renovated residential school on Crescent Road West in Portage la Prairie on 45 acres of Long Plain First Nation Land. The opening of a First Nation college provided an alternative for aboriginal adults wanting to pursue their educational goals.