Just a few years ago, Conrad was a GED student at Oglala Lakota College. Now he is back in the same classroom as the tutor, using his lived experience and TCU education to support students continuing their own education.
Blog Blogs
In Memoriam: President Stephanie Hammitt, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
The American Indian College Fund team was saddened to learn of the passing of President Stephanie Hammitt. Our thoughts go out to President Hammitt’s family and friends, along with the faculty, staff, and students at FDLTCC. She will be missed.
Finding the Trail Left for Us
How do we reclaim what Indigenous education is in our communities? This is the question that Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Child Development program is pursuing. Here are four lessons we have learned along the way. A post by Govinda Budrow, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Ihduwiyayapi Project Administrator.
Back-to-School
Cheryl Crazy Bull, CEO and President of the American Indian College Fund shares how important tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are and how critical it is for mainstream institutions to have support readily available for Native students.
Culture is Not a Costume
A guest post from Heidi K. Brandow (Diné, Kanaka Maoli), Communications Manager at First Peoples Fund. As the fall season conjures memories of vivid colors, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and celebrations such as Halloween, we ask the public to refrain from participating in racist and inaccurate portrayals of Indigenous people through “Native American” themed costumes. These practices in no way honor Indigenous people but rather reinforce false narratives and dehumanize Indigenous people into caricatures.
Join the American Indian College Fund in Support of the Indian Child Welfare Act: Vital to Native Culture, Identity, and Sovereignty
On November 9, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments of Haaland v. Brackeen, the case concerning the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The stakes are high. The Supreme Court’s decision will ultimately determine whether the 44-year-old law that ensures Native children have the legal right to remain connected to their familial network, culture, and community will remain intact.
Returning to School Takes Courage: Akiiwaande’s Story
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College’s high school equivalency (HSE) program recognizes that one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, Aakwa’ode’ewin (bravery), is displayed momentously by its HSE students. This is the story of one those students, Akiiwaande.
Professional Learning Community Supports Graduating Students
Author: Kim Owen, Graduation Coach Co-Author: Nahrin Aziz, Project Director For the past academic year, eight graduates-to-be and Northwest Indian College’s (NWIC) Graduation Coach, Kim Owen, met once a month to provide support toward successful course completion and...
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Every Day
Monday marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day, thanks to the tireless work of Indigenous advocates and allies who have worked to secure its recognition by municipalities, states, and the nation (although still not a federal holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a federally recognized holiday). Native Peoples were always here—at the time of contact—and now, thanks to the tenacity and resilience of our ancestors and the advocacy of our people today. When we celebrate Native heritage, cultures, traditions, and people today, we remember our ancestors’ many sacrifices and soberly reflect on the impact colonialism had on our people and our ways of living.
Sovereign Nation Series: Native Votes Matter
I am asking my Indigenous relatives to vote despite, and because of, our knowledge about our history and contemporary experiences. Without our voices at the polls, we cannot rectify the ongoing harm to our people and to others that is a reflection of the political climate and how resources are distributed.
