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
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Pledges $100,000 to American Indian College Fund
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has announced it is granting $100,000, or $50,000 in 2010 and another $50,000 in 2011, to the American Indian College Fund. The purpose of the grant is to provide two fellowships to tribal college faculty pursuing their doctoral degrees in the natural science, mathematics, and engineering fields. As part of the program, the foundation will also fund a retreat, direct recruiting, and fellow outreach to ensure the participants’ success.
Congratulations to Our Tribal College Students of the Year and Dr. Robert Martin
Thirty-three tribal college students were honored at the AIHEC Student Conference in Chandler, Arizona for their achievements as being named Students of the Year.
Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars Honored
Making the transition to college is hard for anyone, but when a student is a first-generation college student, the transition is even more difficult, because they do not have the family resources to help guide them through the process.
President Obama Donates $125,000 of Nobel Prize Money to American Indian College Fund
President Obama announced today that he will donate $125,000 of his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize monies to the American Indian College Fund (the Fund). In a statement issued by the White House, Obama said of the Fund and nine other charity organizations that received donations from the president, “These organizations do extraordinary work in the United States and abroad helping students, veterans and countless others in need. I’m proud to support their work.”
The Joseph and Sophia Abeles Foundation, Inc. Donates $15,000 to American Indian College Fund
The Joseph and Sophia Abeles Foundation, Inc. has announced it is donating $15,000 to the American Indian College Fund for scholarships for American Indian students.
The Tierney Family Foundation Grants the American Indian College Fund $15,000 for Scholarships
The Tierney Family Foundation has granted the American Indian College Fund with a $15,000 grant for scholarships for American Indian students. The grant will support qualified American Indian students who show academic achievement and involvement in their communities by providing financial resources to encourage them to complete a college degree.
Native STEM Students Thinking Indian
This week I have been made proud by a tribal college student and graduate in the STEM fields that are Thinking Indian. Marie, a second-year student at Leech Lake Tribal College in Minnesota in liberal studies with a STEM emphasis, was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as one of its 105 best and brightest interns and fellows for the NASA Student Ambassador Program.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Renews $450,000 Grant to American Indian College Fund
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has announced a grant for $450,000 to continue the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Faculty Career Enhancement Fellowship Program at the American Indian College Fund (the Fund). The program was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and launched by the Fund in 2004 to increase the number of faculty at the nation’s 33 tribal colleges and universities possessing a terminal degree.
President’s Day
I thought I would take the opportunity this President’s Day to reflect on what it means to be a good leader. Although this holiday was established to celebrate United States presidents, I would like to honor American Indian tribal presidents and chairpeople and tribal college presidents who serve in important leadership roles throughout Indian Country.
Meta Lilienthal Scholarship Fund Grants the The Fund $13,000 for Scholarships
The Palo Alto, California-based Meta Lilienthal Scholarship Fund has granted the American Indian College Fund $13,000 for American Indian student scholarships. The American Indian College Fund supports qualified American Indian students who show academic achievement and involvement in their communities by providing the financial resources to encourage them to complete a college degree.
