Students studying the Piikani language at Blackfeet Community College (BCC) receive language kits to take home, thanks in part to support from the American Indian College Fund. As a special note, Iva Croff, Division Chair of Humanities in Liberal Studies & Piikani Studies, is a former American Indian College Fund scholar who started out earning a certificate to operate heavy equipment. She was such a dedicated and accomplished student that her professors encouraged her to earn an associate degree. She went on with her education after graduating from BCC, earning a master’s degree and going full-circle, returning to her home TCU to teach. Piikani language is her passion.

Department of Education Affirms Native Students are Citizens of Sovereign Indian Nations with Legal Relationship with Federal Government
The Department of Education affirmed its recognition of the sovereign authority of Native Nations to educate their citizens and its relevance to all education institutions in a letter to the National Indian Education Association. Learn more about the letter and how Native sovereignty works.