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
$10,000 Scholarship Grant Awarded from The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation
The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation has awarded the American Indian College Fund a $10,000 grant for scholarships for American Indian students who are from Colorado or are members of the Southern Ute or Ute Mountain Ute tribes.
AT&T Continues Longtime Support of American Indian College Fund
AT&T contributed $15,000 to the American Indian College Fund (the Fund), continuing almost two decades of supporting Native American students’ pursuit of higher education. The AT&T Tribal College Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or business at our nation’s tribal colleges and universities.
Letter from a Supporter
I’d like to personally thank Sandra Beasley of Cleveland, Ohio, an unenrolled member of the Cherokee tribe who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, for taking the time to write to me about the Think Indian campaign. Sandra writes that the campaign “is absolutely brilliant, sensational, awesome, tremendous, epic, and life-changing” and that the stories of traditional and non-traditional students were inspiring for her.
Donaldson Foundation Grants $15,000 to The Fund to Establish Scholarship Program
The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Donaldson Foundation donated $15,000 to the American Indian College Fund to establish the Donaldson Foundation Tribal College Scholarship Program. This program will provide greatly needed scholarships to Native American students studying science, technology, engineering, math, or business at tribal colleges and universities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
MetLife Foundation Contributes $15,000 to the Fund for Native Student Scholarships
For nearly a decade, MetLife Foundation has been committed to supporting Native American scholars through the American Indian College Fund. The MetLife Foundation granted $15,000 this month to continue the MetLife Foundation Tribal College Scholarship Program. This program provides scholarships to Native students attending tribal colleges and universities across the country.
Allstate Insurance Company Sponsors American Indian College Fund Annual Flame of Hope Gala
The Allstate Insurance Company recently granted $10,000 to the American Indian College Fund to sponsor the American Indian College Fund’s Annual Flame of Hope Gala, to be held October 14th in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The annual gala raises scholarship funds and awareness for our nation’s tribal colleges and universities and Native American students. Allstate has been generously sponsoring the event since 2004.
Summer is Time for Native Students to Prepare for School in Fall
Summertime. For many people across the nation, summer is a time to kick back, relax, and celebrate! But for many of our students in Indian nations, summer is a time to cobble together several jobs and pinch pennies to ensure they can continue their college education in the fall.
American Indian College Fund Supporter Treks to Pyrenees to Support Native Student Scholarships
Dave Rogers, a member of the American Indian College Fund Board of Directors, went to adventurous and altruistic heights this year when he combined a trek across the Pyrenees Mountains with a fundraising challenge for the American Indian College Fund.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation Gives the Fund $10,000 for Named Scholarship Program
In support of Native American students attending the nation’s tribal colleges, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation generously donated $10,000 to the American Indian College Fund. Established in 2002, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation Tribal College Scholarship Program has allowed numerous American Indian students to pursue academic degrees at the tribal colleges and universities that combine traditional culture and contemporary learning.
Dr. Joe McDonald Looks Back (& Forward) as He Retires from the Helm of Salish Kootenai College
Joe McDonald, President of Salish Kootenai College since 1978, retired on July 1, 2010
