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

Flood Update: Montana, North Dakota Still Under State of Emergency

States of emergency have been declared for the state of Montana and 21 counties in North Dakota and two Indian reservations, including Barnes, Benson, Burleigh, Cass, Emmons, Eddy, Grand Forks, Mercer, McLean, Morton, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sioux, Towner, Traill, Walsh and Ward Counties and the reservations of the Spirit Lake Nation and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Flood Waters Heading to Nebraska, May Impact Tribal College

The people of South Sioux City, Nebraska are preparing for flooding. The U.S. Corps of Engineers estimates about half of the city of 12,000 people will be underwater by June 14 as the Missouri River rises another eight feet to peak flows, with the flood expected to last about 60 days. People in the area yesterday were packing and moving items while others made and placed sandbags along the Missouri River.

An Urgent Message About the Flooding from Rick Williams

Please watch this urgent message from the American Indian College Fund President Richard B. Williams about the need for emergency relief to support tribal colleges, students, and tribal college communities during the epic flooding that has created disaster conditions.

Flooding Disaster in Montana and North Dakota Impacts Tribal Colleges

Flooding Disaster in Montana and North Dakota Impacts Tribal Colleges

Hundreds of American Indians have been displaced from their homes across Montana and North Dakota. Little Big Horn College in Eastern Montana, which serves the Crow Nation, and United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota are serving their hard-hit communities as the command centers for the disaster, providing shelter, food, and clothing to those in need.

The Hershey Company Grants $22,000 for Native student scholarships

The Hershey Company granted $22,000 to the American Indian College Fund (the Fund) for Native student scholarships. The gift will provide scholarships to Native or Native descendant students studying towards a degree in math, technology, science, engineering, and/or business, with preference given to students studying at colleges or universities in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Congratulations to Our American Indian Graduates!

Graduation time is upon us. All of us at the American Indian College Fund want to wish all of our graduating students the best in their new and hard-won future! As one donor, Joanne (Cherokee-Choctaw) of Utah, said, “How proud I am of the graduates–and the others struggling on through.

Two Spirit Endowment Honors Memory of Fred C. Martinez

Fred C. Martinez, a young Navajo man, was brutally murdered after deciding he didn’t want to choose between being a boy or a girl. Fred self-identified as a gay male, but also expressed the feminine aspect of his personality in his dress and self-presentation. In Navajo culture, this concept is known as nádleehí.

Native student intern bloggers sought for summer!

Are you a Native student working at an internship this summer? What: You will be paid $10 per blog entry during the summer (5 entries per week at $50). The entries must be a minimum of three paragraphs and relevant to what you are learning on your internship.