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

National Day of Racial Healing

National Day of Racial Healing

In the past year we have witnessed the erosion of freedom of speech, racial profiling of civilians, and further limitations on minority and low-income individuals’ ability to pursue their desired educations and careers. The Indigenous peoples within the United States...

Lending an Indigenous Perspective to ICE Raids

In the past year we have witnessed the erosion of the freedom of speech, profiling of civilians, and the right to peacefully protest. What has happened in Minnesota, including the murder of a protestor and the arrest of four Native Americans, is chilling. Native...

Remembering Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) 

Remembering Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) 

The former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell passed December 30, 2025, surrounded by family shortly after a visit with tribal elders. Eddie Box Jr. sang the sacred Southern Ute Sundance songs which carried Native people between worlds for generations, and the vision of Nighthorse-Campbell donned in his war bonnet and buckskins and riding his horse home into the next world. 

Our Students’ Success is Our Wealth: Join Us to Help More Students Access Higher Education 

Our Students’ Success is Our Wealth: Join Us to Help More Students Access Higher Education 

Winter is a special season, full of holidays, good food, good company. And no matter the culture, storytelling and the spirit of reflection, growth, giving, and gratitude take center stage this time of year. It is no different for Native peoples, many of whom wait to tell certain stories on long, cold winter nights.  

The Algorithm Wasn’t Built for Us – A Text to Help Indigenize Artificial Intelligence

The Algorithm Wasn’t Built for Us – A Text to Help Indigenize Artificial Intelligence

The Algorithm Wasn’t Built for Us: Reclaiming the Future of AI, Education, and Culture is a newly published book by Karen Colbert. The American Indian College Fund caught up with Colbert to ask about the focus of the book, her broader research interests, and what the future holds for her work and Indigenous-led artificial intelligence efforts.