Indigenous Literacy Story Series
The Indigenous Literacy Story Series seeks to shift perceptions of literacy and education in tribal nation communities, provide evidence of literacy success and innovation in tribal nation communities, establish the College Fund as a resource and leader in literacy resources, and encourage innovation and collaboration within TCUs, across TCUs, and between Native inservice teachers.
This story series features guest writers from the College Fund, TCUs, and Native educators in the field.
Indigenous Literacy is:
A means of expressing and sustaining connection, culture, and sovereignty.
The ability to communicate (tell stories, speak, write, create, teach, or demonstrate) and comprehend (listen, read, sense, interpret, view, learn, or practice).
A starting point for Native people to co-create their environment in ways that are grounded in – and sustaining of – Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of knowing.
Relational and intergenerational, supporting kinship with each other, ancestors, and the land.
Essential to thriving Indigenous communities.
Featured Stories
Hope STEMS, Native American Students Blossom
A hardscrabble childhood didn’t “harden” Erika Torres-Hernandez, but it did sharpen the Chippewa-Cree tribe member’s resolve to achieve her goals and give back. A recipient of a Toyota Tribal College Scholarship, Torres-Hernandez studies math at a tribal college in Rocky Boy, Mont. Once the 3.7-GPA student earns her four-year degree from a university, she plans to return to the reservation to teach high school.
Ford Motor Company Fund Awards $60,000 to American Indian College Fund
Ten Tribal College and University (TCU) Scholarships of $3,000 per academic year and five mainstream scholarships of $3,000 per academic year will be awarded under the program. Eight TCU students must be studying science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or business fields.
Learn How Tribal College Innovations Transform Native Communities
The American Indian College Fund is hosting an event in Chicago, Illinois September 30, 2014 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. featuring Dr. Verna Fowler, President of the College of Menominee Nation in Wisconsin and a ground-breaking innovator in Native higher education, will speak at the event.
ECE Researcher to Present Poster at Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE)
The American Indian College Fund’s Wakanyeja Early Childhood Education Initiative project director at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Danielle Lansing, will be presenting a research poster at the Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE) at CU-Denver this week.
Shaping Native Early Childhood Education with Work and Commitment
This fall marks the final year of the initiative; reflection on the accomplishments of the four tribal college grantees spurs new hope and healing amongst the grantee institutions and their respective project partners. Engaging in collective inquiry to impact and change systems within and among tribal communities is complex work.
Scholarships Distributed for Fall 2014
Checks totaling $2,150,000 of TCU Scholarship Program funding are being sent to the 34 tribal colleges this fall. Allocations are determined by Indian Student Count. In addition, checks totaling $1.3 million are being distributed to Full Circle Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to all of our scholars and good luck this semester!
Cheryl Crazy Bull to Speak at 45th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) today announced that Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, will be a featured keynote speaker at the 45th Annual Community College Leadership Congress, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Chicago this October 22 – 25, 2014.
Idina Menzel to Perform at American Indian College Fund’s 25th Anniversary Gala
The American Indian College Fund has signed Tony-award winning Broadway powerhouse vocalist Idina Menzel to perform live at its 25th Anniversary Gala, to be held Monday, October 20 at Pier Sixty in New York City. This black tie fundraising event will benefit Native American higher education and celebrate the College Fund’s mission and years of service to provide Native American access to higher education.
Meet Our Summer Interns
Ian Stand (Sac and Fox Nation) is a senior Indigenous and American Indian studies major at Haskell Indian Nations University. He comes from the San Francisco Bay Area and is a student-athlete who competes with the shot put and discus on the track and field team.
American Indian College Fund and United Health Foundation Award $100,000 in Scholarships
American Indian College Fund and United Health Foundation Award $100,000 in Scholarships to American Indian Students Pursuing Health Careers • Announcement made at sixth annual Diverse Scholars Forum in Washington, D.C. • Scholarships given as part of United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative, which has awarded more than $9 million since 2007
