Circle of Hope

As we approach Native American Heritage Month, I find myself thinking about how Native people have always persevered amid uncertainty – and I’m so grateful for that strength at this moment in time. The national conversation about education funding over the past several months has been unsettling. The ups and downs and wins and losses have taken their toll on those of us whose work is focused in education. The effects of this instability are felt profoundly across Indian Country, and administrators, instructors, and students are left wondering what the future holds.

And yet my hope and strength lie in knowing we come from a people who persist. For generations, we have faced unspeakable resistance and barriers, but we did not withdraw or falter. While I’m feeling the weight of this moment deeply, I find comfort and peace in our history and our truth: we are still here, we are still building our futures.

The strength of my ancestors is the foundation beneath my feet. It is what I call upon in this moment to stay focused and to keep moving forward. As a child, I was taught my place in this world is rooted in community and connection – and that is why there has never been a more important time to support and protect our path forward in support of tribally-controlled education and in Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

All higher education opportunities for Native students are important – from work-force skills gained at community colleges to graduate degrees and advanced research at state institutions. But during a time when diversity and equity are being renegotiated and redefined, TCUs are at the foundation of Native nation-building. They strengthen sovereignty by developing graduates who know our history and what our ancestors fought for, as well as teaching them the skills to govern, teach, and lead in today’s world.

The outcomes are undeniable. Ninety-three percent of College Fund scholars return to their communities after graduation. That is not just a statistic – it is a promise. Each degree becomes a lever for change, whether it be a climate scientist developing tribally-led solutions to protect our homelands; a software engineer building tools that strengthen Native languages; or a policy advocate ensuring Native voices are heard in the halls of government. They are the leaders who will shape both our Nations and our world.

I often think about what would be lost if these spaces did not exist. Without TCUs, entire regions would be left without higher education. Without culturally grounded classrooms, most Native students leave school feeling unseen and unsupported. Without places where Native knowledge flourishes, all of us would lose something irreplaceable – the wisdom and practices that have carried our people forward for centuries.

So even in times of uncertainty, let us move with purpose. We will not be defined by a single budget, a single policy, or a single disappointment. Our charge is clear: to safeguard education, nurture culture, and prepare the next generation to carry their Nations forward.

Because of you, this future is still possible. Our students are as creative as they are determined, ready to meet any challenge at school or in the workforce. The promise of Native education endures – and my heart is filled with gratitude for each of you for the support you provide in fulfilling that promise.

As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, I invite you to join me in my commitment to the importance of our institutions of higher education and the ways we can surround them with our support, just as we surround our students. Even as challenges rise, so does our determination. With every step forward, our students turn uncertainty into opportunity, carrying us all toward a more just and vibrant future. 

In gratitude and strength,